THE  UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

LIBRARY 


THE  WILMER  COLLECTION 

OF  CIML  WAR  NOVELS 

PRESENTED  BY 

RICHARD  H.  WILMER,  JR. 


/  z^    ..c^ 


fyuA^<'^ 


cJi<X 


^,A     ">t<r%r 


IN    SHinT      \N1>     I)I!AWKRS.     WITH     HIS     PISTOLS    IN     HAM). 


\  Front  i.<pi  fee.] 


Page  233. 


"WONTUS 


OR 


THE  CORPS  OF  OBSERVATION, 


BY 

COL.  WILLIAM  M.  EUNKEL. 


WITH  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

J,  B.   LIPPINCOTT    &    CO. 
1874. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1873,  by 

WM.   M.    RUXKEL, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  "Washington. 


Lippincott's  Press, 
Philadelphia. 


TO 

CHARLES  E.  WARBURTON,  Esq., 

PHILADELPHIA. 

My  dear  Sir  :— A  desire  to  testify  my  appreciation  of  your  friend- 
ship impels  me  to  dedicate  this  work  to  you. 

I  might  have  requested  your  permission  thus  to  intrude  upon  you, 
but  I  fear  that  if  I  had,  your  name  would  never  have  appeared  on 
this  page. 

Please  accept  this  slight  testimonial  of  my  regard,  and  do  me  the 
favor  to  remember  always  that  I  am 

Yours  very  truly, 

THE   AUTHOR. 


603219 


PEEFACE. 


"When  I  wrote  these  pages  I  had  no  other  object 
in  view  than  to  endeavor  to  please  the  people  I 
was  writing  for.  Curious  people,  however,  demand 
that  I  shall  say  more  than  this,  hence  I  indulge  in 
these  prefatory  remarks. 

The  question  has  been  asked.  Where  and  how  did 
I  come  into  the  possession  of  the  information  which 
I  now  present  to  the  world  ?  This  question  I  would 
like  to  answer,  but  necessity  compels  me  to  waive 
it.  By  this  I  do  not  mean  to  imply,  or  even  in- 
sinuate in  the  remotest  sense,  that  it  is  none  of  the 
reader's  business,  but  simply  to  dispose  of  a  most 
perplexing  question  in  the  briefest  possible  man- 
ner. I  might  enter  into  a  lengthy  argument  to 
prove  the  absolute  truth  of  all  I  have  written,  but 
I  have  tried  to  say  all  I  can  say  of  my  work,  in  it, 
believing  that  not  even  the  slightest  semblance  of 
a  doubt  will  ever  linger  in  the  mind  of  my  readers 
concerning  its  authenticity. 

With  the  people  most  interested — I  mean  the 

6 


6  PREFACE. 

characters  themselves — I  can  only  say  that,  al- 
though they  may  resemble  the  people  we  meet  in 
every-day  life  in  some  degree,  yet  they  are  all 
creatures  of  the  imagination.  Sufficient  of  the 
characteristics,  aims,  and  actions  of  each  one  is  set 
forth  in  the  pages  which  follow,  and  in  due  time 
will  come  under  the  notice  of  the  attentive  reader. 
With  this  brief  introduction  I  have  the  pleasure 
to  present  the  book  itself. 

November,  1873. 


COlNTTEIfTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PAOI 

In  which  the  Characters  are  introduced,  and  the  Corps  of  Observa- 
tion becomes  a  Thing  of  Life 11 

CHAPTER  II. 

Wherein  a  Remarkable  Man  relates  a  Remarkable  Story  and  aston- 
ishes his  Hearers 24 


CHAPTER  III. 

Starts  the  Corps  on  its  Winding  Way,  and  relates  some  Accidents 
which  befell  the  Travelers 35 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Details  how  an  Ambitious  Man  may  permit  his  Ambition  to  lead 
Him  into  Great  and  Unlooked-for  Difficulties        .         .         .         .47 


CHAPTER  V. 

Dilates  on  the  Beauties  of  Modern  Improvements,  introduces  a  New 
Character,  and  restores  Two  Unfortunates  to  their  Friends  .     56 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Tells  of  a  Slight  Error  concerning  Mr.  Thomson,  and  the  Valor  of 
Mr.  Wontus.  It  also  develops  a  New  Phase  in  Gascon  Nidd's 
Character,  and  introduces  a  Woman 67 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Quarters  the  Corps  in  Baltimore,  and  develops  a  New  Talent  in  Mr. 
Wilkins — It  also  takes  three-quarters  of  the  Party  to  a  Ball,  and 
relates  a  Ludicrous  Scene,  and  other  Things  too  numerous  to 
mention 81 

7 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  virr. 

PAGE 

Domiciles  the  Corps  in  the  Capital  of  the  Xation,   and  treats  of 
Sickness,  Love,  and  other  Thing's 9-4 


CHAPTER  IX. 

The  Sick  Woman's  Story — The  Rivals — Love — Hate — Matrimony — 
Misfortune — A  Man  which  Wontus  thinks  he  knows — The  Arrest  105 


CHAPTER  X. 

Introduces  Mr.  Nidd  as  a  Critic,  and  comments  on  sundry  Public 
Institutions 120 


CHAPTER  XL 

Introduces  Mr.  Xidd  to  the  President,  and  places  Benjamin  "Wilkins 
before  the  Reader  as  a  Story-Teller 129 

CHAPTER  XXL 

Mr.  "Wontus  comes  to  Grief  and  goes  to  Prison,  and  finds  Himself 
not  alone — Mr.  Xidd  is  exercised  in  more  ways  than  one       .         .  142 

CHAPTER  XIIL 
Makes  Use  of  the  President  and  liberates  the  Hero  from  Prison       ,  157 

CHAPTER   XIV. 

Somewhat  Philosophical — Wontus  and  Xidd  visit  the  President  and 
make  some  Exj)lanations 170 

CHAPTER  XV. 

In  which  the  Corps  gets  ready  for  Field  Service,  and  bids  adieu 
to  Washington — Mr.  Thomson  meets  some  Old  Friends,  and  Xidd 
is  made  happy 181 

CHAPTER  XVL 

Down  the  Chesapeake — The  Pirates,  and  the  Heroism  of  Benjamin 
Wilkius 192 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Nidd  meets  with  a  Terrible  Adventure,  and  the  Corps  makes  sun- 
dry Acquaintances  of  an  Agreeable  Character        .         .         .         .  20i. 


CONTENTS.  a 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

PAO> 

Meeting  of  the  Inflatus — Wontus  and  Nidd  are  Initiated  and  be- 
come Members — A  Jolly  Time,  with  a  Startling  Denouement       .  218 

J 
CHAPTER  XIX. 

The  Corps  takes  passage  for  the  Front — Thomas  Thomson  makes 
Startling  Disclosures,  and  Wilkins  is  declared  a  Champion  .        .  235 

CHAPTER  XX. 

On  to  Richmond — The  Corps  at  the  Front — Mr.  Wontus  buys  a 
Relic,  and  Wilkins  makes  his  First  Failure 246 

CHAPTER   XXL 

Details  Sundry  Haps  and  Mishaps,  and  carries  the  Corps  to  York- 
town       254 

CHAPTER   XXII. 
What  the  Guardsman  said  happened — What  did  happen  .        .  260 

CHAPTER   XXIII. 
A  New  Character  introduced,  and  an  Old  Story  recalled  ,        .  267 

CHAPTER   XXIV. 

And  it  Rained — The  Army  moves  onward,  and  the  Corps  witnesses 
a  Distressing  Sight 275 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

The  Corps  becomes  Equestrian — Wontus  exercises  his  Family  Steed 
and  becomes  exercised  Himself — The  Embalming  Process,  by  B. 
AVilkins,  etc. 283 

CHAPTER   XXVI. 
In  which  Gascon  Nidd  has  a  Startling  Adventure    ....  293 

CHAPTER   XXVII. 

The  Battle  of  Fair  Oaks— The  Corps  under  Fire— An  Old  Character 
in  a  New  Place — The  Deserter — The  Pursuit — The  Capture  and 
Death 297 


10  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER   XXVIII. 

PAGE 

Mr.  Xidd  takes  a  Ride,  and  has  an  Unexpected  Meeting  with  his 
Kival      .        .        .     ^ 311 

CHAPTER   XXIX. 

An  Excellent  Chapter,  because  it  is  Short,  and  accounts  for  some 
Things  not  accounted  for  before 316 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

Tells  of  Colonel  Blakely's  Love — The   Change  of  Base — "Wontus's 
Reinforcement  of  the  Armj  .         .         .    - 317 

CHAPTER   XXXI. 

This  Chapter  is  principally  devoted  to  Mr.  Wilkins,  who  as  a  Sol- 
dier does  some  very  Marvelous  Things — Homeward  Bound  .  328 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

In  which  Mr.  Nidd  revisits  the  Quaker  City,  becomes  a  Participant 
in  a  Fireman's  Riot,  and  is  a  Jilted  Man 337 

CHAPTER   XXXIII. 

Catches  Mr.  Wontus  in  the  Toils  of  Love,  and  after  several  Disap- 
pointments renders  him  Happy 341 

CHAPTER   XXXIV. 

Disposes  of  some  Characters,  and  begins  the  End     ....  352 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 
Makes  TVontus  happy  and  ends  the  Book 356 


WONTUS, 

OR 

THE  CORPS  OF  OBSERVATION. 


CHAPTER  I. 


IN   WHICH    THE    CHARACTERS   ARE   INTRODUCED,   AND   THE 
CORPS    OP   OBSERVATION    BECOMES   A   THING   OF   LIFE. 

"  Tommy,"  said  Mr  Olympus  Wontus  to  his  man-servant, 
"it's  awful  1" 

"  Yes,  sir,"  answered  Tommy,  and  silence  reigned. 

"  Yes,  yes,  it's  awful !"  repeated  Mr.  Wontus,  as  though 
speaking  to  himself,  rising  from  his  chair  and  gazing  abstract- 
edly out  of  the  window.  "  The  thunder-bolts  of  Jove  and  the 
dogs  of  war  have  been  let  loose  on  our  beautiful  land,  and  what 
it  has  taken  years  to  build  up  will  be  torn  down  in  a  day." 
And  Mr.  Wontus  continued  to  gaze  out  of  the  window. 

"  Can  you  see  'em,  sir?"  asked  the  man  who  had  been  ad- 
dressed as  Tommy,  and  who  now  looked  up  from  his  work  of 
scouring  the  andirons. 

"See  who?"  asked  Mr.  Wontus,  fixing  his  glance  on  the 
questioner's  face.     "See  who?"  he  repeated,  sharply. 

"  The  thunder-bugs  of  Jove  and  the  dogs." 

Mr.  Wontus's  face  lost  its  vacant  expression  ;  he  thrust  his 
hands  into  his  pantaloons  pockets,  and  for  a  moment  gazed  on 
his  servant-man  in  silence.  By-and-by  his  lips  parted,  and  a 
shade  of  sorrow  seemed  to  pass  over  his  face.  At  length  he 
spoke : 

"  Tommy,  you're  a  fool  I" 

"  Yes,  sir." 

11 


12   ^  w  ox  TVS,  on 

"  I've  told  you  so  a  thousand  times  before,  but  there  seems 
to  be  no  improvement  in  you." 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Your  associations  must  be  bad." 

"  They  must,  sir." 

There  was  silence  for  a  few  moments,  during  which  Mr. 
Wontus  gazed  fixedly  on  Tommy,  and  Tommy  worked  with 
renewed  vigor  on  the  andirons. 

"  Tommy,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  mildly,  "  with  whom  do  you 
associate  mostly?" 

"  With  you,  sir."  And  Tommy  looked  up  with  innocence 
beaming  in  his  face;  but  Mr.  AVontus  had  turned  and  was 
looking  out  of  the  window.  His  face  was  clouded,  as  much 
as  such  a  genial,  happy  face  ever  could  be  clouded ;  but  the 
cloud  was  soon  dispelled,  and  a  look  of  firm  resolution  took  its 
place.     He  walked  to  the  table  and  took  a  seat. 

"  Tommy,  come  here." 

"  Yes,  sir."  And  the  man  arose,  and  running  his  grimy 
fingers  through  his  coarse,  unkempt  hair,  and  thus  streaking 
his  face  with  the  dirt  from  his  hands  until  he  looked  like  the 
colored  prints  of  the  aboriginals  which  we  see  in  the  shop- 
windows,  he  took  his  place  before  his  employer. 

"  YouVe  been  a  faithful  man,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  after  a 
pause,  "  but,  Thomas  (Mr.  Wontus  spoke  emphatically),  you 
are  a  very  dull  one ;  that  is,  I  think  you  are  sometimes,  and 
then  again  I  think  you  are  not.  Now,  I  did  not  say  anything 
about  the  thunder-bugs  of  Jove  :  I  said  thunder-bolts."  Mr. 
Wontus  stopped  speaking,  and  looked  at  his  man. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  Tommy,  humbly. 

''  Then  why  didn't  you  understand  me?" 

It  was  evident  that  scenes  of  this  kind  had  occurred  before, 
and  that  Mr.  Wontus  was  now  struggling  for  the  mastership. 
He  repeated  his  question,  and  the  man  stood  before  him 
scratching  his  head,  as  if  in  doubt.  Soon  a  bright  look  stole 
over  his  face,  and  with  an  air  as  much  as  to  say,  "  I've  hit  on 
the  right  thing,"  he  answered: 

"  My  association,  sir." 

"Damn  it,  sir!"  cried  Mr,  Wontus,  with  explosive  anger; 
and,  jumping  up,  he  flung  his  hat  upon  his  head,  and  in  a 
moment  had  vanished  through  the  door,  leaving  his  man  stand- 
ing in  bewildering  uncertainty  whether  to  stay  or  fly.     First 

HcU 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  13 

he  looked  at  the  chair  on  which  Mr.  Wontus  had  sat,  then  he 
looked  to  the  door,  and  thus  in  silent  contemplation  he  stood 
for  a  long  while  without  moving.  He  appeared  to  he  busy 
with  his  thoughts.  In  time  these  found  expression  in 
words. 

''  Thomas  Thomson,"  said  he,  "  you've  been  to  blame  in  this 
here  thing.  Here  you've  been  to  work  for  Mr.  Wontus  these 
here  ten  years, — since  you  was  a  boy, — and  you  ought  to  know 
your  man.  (A  pause.)  I  wonder  why  he  didn't  never  get 
married?  As  rich  as  cream;  but  here  he's  been  a  livin'  all 
alone  in  this  here  tavern  for  Lord  knows  how  long,  and  ain't 
got  no  wife  yet.  (Another  pause.)  Yes,  a  good  man ;  as 
good  a  man  as  ever  lived.  Kind-hearted  ?  As  kind-hearted 
as  ever  a  human  could  be.  Lord  !  why  he  wouldn't  do  a  mean 
thing  to  nothin'  or  nobody  for  the  world ;  and  putty  good  lookin', 
too.  Says  he  was  born  and  raised  here  ;  but  if  he  was,  where's 
all  his  'lations  ?  (A  pause.)  Made  his  own  money  a  boilin' 
soap,  an'  ain't  got  nothin'  or  nobody  to  bother  him.  Why, 
he's  the  goodest  man  I've  ever  seed  in  my  life.  Lord,  look 
as  how  he  treats  me !  I  reckon  I've  made  him  mad  now,  but 
I  don't  know ;  I  don't  understand  how  it  is  that  me  and  him 
have  so  many  misunderstandin's." 

Thomas  here  fell  into  a  condition  of  reflection  so  profound 
that  he  did  not  notice  that  his  master  had  returned,  and  was 
standing  inside  the  door,  his  face  wearing  its  usual  genial  and 
kindly  expression. 

"  Thomas,"  said  he,  "  I've  been  thinking."  He  walked  to 
the  window,  and  gazed  abstractedly  into  the  street. 

"You  have?"  said  the  gentleman  addressed,  looking  up, 
without  manifesting  the  slightest  concern  at  the  change  in  the 
manner  of  his  master. 

"Thomas,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  "I've  concluded  to  go  to 
war." 

"  To  war?"  Thomas's  mouth  opened,  and  he  gazed  at  his 
master  as  though  Mr.  Wontus  had  suddenly  transformed  him- 
self into  a  cannon,  which  he  expected  to  explode  in  a  moment. 

"  Yes,  Thomas,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  firmly,  "  I  think  that's 
what  I'll  do." 

"  You're  a  jokin',"  cried  Mr.  Thomson.  "  They  wouldn't 
have  you.  And  s'pose  you  did  go,  what  would  you  do  ?  Them 
'ar  legs  couldn't  march."     And  Mr.  Thomson  cast  a  glance 

2 


14  woxTUS,  on 

over  the  understandings  of  his  master,  which  was  equivocal, 
if  nothing  more. 

"  Yes,  that's  what  I'll  do,"  cried  3Ir.  Wontus,  without  heed- 
ing the  remarks  of  his  servant.  "  I  want  something  to  do, 
something  to  engage  my  attention.  Here  I  sit,  day  after  day, 
week  in  and  week  out,  and  do — do  just  nothing.  Every  man 
ought  to  do  something  always,  but  more  particularly  now. 
I've  got  money, — yes,  more  than  I  want.  I've  subscribed  to 
all  the  government  loans,  and  about  everything  else,  but  I 
want  to  be  more  active.  Why,  I  can  arrange  it ;  and  who 
knows  but  Olympus  Wontus,  the  retired  soap  manufacturer, 
muy  be  of  some  use  in  the  world  after  all." 

During  the  delivery  of  these  remarks  by  the  master,  as 
though  he  were  talking  to  himself,  the  man's  face,  which  but  a 
moment  before  was  smiling,  assumed  a  grave  shape,  and  at 
length  settled  into  an  expre.ssion  of  terror. 

'■  Lord,  Mr.  Wontus  !''  he  cried,  excitedly,  '•  you  won't  go  to 
the  war,  will  you?  Why,  the  rebels  will  cut  you  into  little 
pieces.  You  can't  run  like  our  fellei-s  did  at  Bull  Run,  and, 
sure  as  shootin',  you'd  be  took  and  hung  !" 

"  You  don't  understand,"  said  M-r.  Wontus,  kindly,  inter- 
rupting. "  No,  you  don't  understand,  Thomas,"  said  he,  after 
a  pause,  during  which  he  laid  his  hand  on  his  servant's 
shoulder. 

''  Do  1/011  understand  ?"  cried  Mr.  Thomson,  excitedly, — ''  do 
you  understand,  sir  ?  Was  you  ever  captured  and  hung?  No, 
of  course  you  wasn't ;  and  do  ?/ou  understand  ?  No,  of  course 
you  don't.  Then  how  am  I,  a  feller  what  ain't  never  been  out 
of  New  York  in  his  life?  No,  I  g-uess  I  don't;  and  'scuse 
me,  3Ir.  Wontus,  but  I  don't  want  to.  This  here  country  is 
good  enough  for  me,  and  them  fellers  what  want  to  go  can  do 
it;  but  Mr.  Thomas  Thomson  don't  go,  nohow!'  Having 
finished  his  speech,  which  was  delivered  with  great  force  and 
vehemence,  Mr.  Thomas  Thomson  stepped  back  and  looked  at 
his  master  as  though  his  argument  was  unanswerable. 

There  was  very  little  of  that  feeling  which  commonly  exists 
between  a  man  and  his  servant,  between  Mr.  Wontus  and  his 
>ervant;  in  fact,  it  sometimes  looked  as  though  Mr.  Wontus 
^^as  the  servant  and  Mr.  Thomson  the  master.  ^Mr.  Wontus 
had  peculiar  ideas  concerning  his  fellow-man,  and  while  he 
drew  a  strict  line  in  social  intercourse  with  the  world,  yet  he 


THE  CORPS  OF  OBSERVATION.  15 

alwap  felt  that  every  man  wlio  was  born  in  the  image  of  his 
Creator  was  liis  equal, — no  better,  no  worse.  His  servant  had 
been  with  him  for  years ;  he  had  grown  up  to  manhood  in  his 
service,  and  he  had,  in  his  loneliness,  come  to  look  upon  him 
more  as  a  companion  than  as  a  menial. 

"Tommy,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  quietly,  and  with  kindness 
beaming  from  his  large,  brown  eye,  "  you  don't  understand 
me.  Now  listen  and  I'll  tell  you  my  plans.  I  don't  intend 
going  into  the  army  as  a  soldier,  but  simply  as  a  corps  of  ob- 
servation." (It  may  here  be  of  interest  to  all  concerned  to 
know  that  Mr.  Wontus  not  unfrequently  pronounced  his  words 
as  he  had  seen  them  spelled,  and  this  fact  gave  rise  to  an  in- 
terruption.) 

"  A  corpse !"  cried  Mr.  Thomson,  in  evident  trepidation. 
"  A  corpse  of  observation  !  Oh,  IMr.  Wontus  !  my  dear,  good, 
kind  friend  and  pertector,  don't  be  a  corpse !  Be  anything 
else  but  a  corpse.  Corpses  ain't  healthy  no  times — never ; 
and  observation  corpses  are  as  bad  as  the  worstest " 

"  Come,  come,  Tommy,"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  interrupting, 
"  as  I  said  before,  you  do  not  understand  me.  Now  keep  quiet 
until  I  explain.  A  corps  ain't  a  corpse.  Tommy  ;  it's  another 
thing.  It's  a  man  or  two,  or  more  than  one  man,  or  a  good 
many,  according  to  the  way  it's  done  and  the  number  who 
want  to  go ;  in  fact,  Tommy,  it  ain't  exactly  clear  to  my  mind 
what  a  corps  is,  only  that  it  ain't  a  corpse  after  all.  Greneral 
McClellan,  the  great  chief  of  our  army,  was  a  corps  once ; 
not  a  dead  corpse.  Tommy,  but  a  corps  of  observation.  He 
was  sent  to  the  great  siege  of  Sebastopool  to  see  how  things 
were  done  there,  and  that's  the  reason  why  he  was  a  corps. 
You  see,  Tommy,  Greneral  McClellan  was  a  corps,  and  that's 
the  kind  of  corps  I  intend  to  be.  I  don't  intend  to  fight ;  I 
only  want  to  see, — to  have  something  to  do, — to  help  the  brave 
fellows  who  are  standing  between  us  and  the  enemy  who  would 
tear  down  that  flag  which  we  love  so  much  and  trample  it  in 
the  dust ;  that's  all,  Tommy, — that's  what  I  want  to  do." 

For  a  few  moments  Mr.  Thomson  stood  in  an  attitude  of 
deep  thought.  His  head  was  bowed,  his  eyes  were  fixed  on 
the  floor,  and  the  dexter  digit  of  his  left  hand  lay  along  his 
aquiline  nose.     He  speaks  : 

"  A  corps  of  observation  ain't  a  corpse?" 

Mr.  Wontus  nodded. 


16  WONTUS,  OR 

"  A  corj3S  ain't  a  corpse  ?" 

"Not  as  you  understand  it,"  said  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  A  corps  ain't  a  dead  corpse,  but  a  live  corps  ?" 

Again  Mr.  Wontus  nodded. 

"  A  corps "  Mr.  Thomson  stopped  suddenly  and  looked 

perplexed,  and  then,  as  if  speaking  to  himself,  he  continued  : 
"  If  a  corps  is  a  corpse,  then  it  ain't  a  corpse ;  if  a  corps 
ain't  a  corpse,  then  it  is  a  corps  !  It's  mighty  sing'lar.  I'm 
blessed  if  I  see  it  with  these  here  lamps."  And  then  again 
he  was  silent. 

"  Tommy,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  "  I  shall  need  a  man  like  you 
to  accompany  me ;  but  I'll  not  press  you  to  go  if  you  don't 
want  to.     I  don't  think  there  would  be  any  danger." 

"  General  McClellan  was  a  corps,  was  he?"  remarked  Mr. 
Thomson. 

"  He  was." 

"  He  ain't  a  corpse  now  ?" 

"  No." 

"  Could  I  be  like  the  general?" 

"  Certainly,"  replied  Mr.  Wontus. 

"Mr.  Wontus,"  said  Thomas,  looking  up,  "I've  never 
deserted  you,  and  I  never  will !    I'll  go  !" 

And  thus  it  was  settled  that  Mr.  Thomas  Thomson,  who 
had  stood  by  his  master  faithfully  in  the  past,  would  stand  by 
him  faithfully  in  the  future,  although  there  continued  a  lin- 
gering doubt  in  his  mind  as  to  how  men  could  be  a  corps  and 
yet  not  be  a  corpse.  It  is  one  of  the  beautiful  idiosyncrasies 
of  our  langTiage,  and  might  confound  wiser  heads. 

The  matter  between  master  and  man  having  been  satisfac- 
torily arranged,  Mr.  Wontus  again  turned  to  the  window,  and 
Mr.  Thomson  to  the  andirons.  The  day  was  bright  and  beau- 
tiful, and  the  buds  of  early  spring  had  just  commenced  to 
make  their  appearance  on  the  trees  and  shrubs  in  the  small 
yards  about  him.  Mr.  Wontus  stood  gazing  out  of  the  win- 
dow at  the  flags  which  floated,  "  like  a  rainbow  in  the  skies," 
from  the  diff"erent  flagstafis  of  his  patriotic  neighbors,  and  was 
apparently  lost  in  thought. 

"  Yes,  my  mind  is  made  up,"  said  he,  suddenly,  looking 
round.     "  Tommy,  you  know  where  Mr.  Nidd's  rooms  are?" 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Well,  you  go  round  to  Xidd  and  ask  him  if  he  will  not 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATIOX.  17 

be  kind  enough  to  slip  around  here,  on  his  way  down-town 
this  afternoon.  Tell  him  I  have  business  of  importance. 
Yes,"  he  continued,  after  a  pause,  "  Nidd  is  the  very  man : 
cool,  sharp,  and  brave.  He  shall  be  one  of  the  party.  (He- 
fleeting.)  His  meanness  may  prevent  him.  (A  pause.)  I'll 
offer  to  bear  half  of  his  expenses  myself.  He'll  go  ;  I'm  sure 
he  will.  Yes,  yes,  Tommy,  run  round  and  tell  Nidd  that  I 
want  to  see  him  to-day — this  afternoon — as  soon  as  possible." 

In  a  brief  time  Tommy  made  his  exit,  and  Mr,  Wontus  was 
left  to  himself. 

"  Nidd's  the  man  !"  cried  he,  clapping  his  ftit  hands  to- 
gether and  rubbing  them  till  they  were  red.  "  Yes,  Nidd's 
the  veri/  man.  Let  me  see  :  we've  been  acquainted  fur  ten — 
yes,  over  ten  years  now, — and  I  guess  Nidd's  pretty  well  oif. 
He's  a  little  singular,  and  will  quarrel  over  his  rubber ;  but 
he's  the  very  man,  for  all  that.  Let  me  see  :  I'll  write  to  my 
friend  Moxley,  and  procure  the  necessary  information  and 
papers  from  the  departments  at  Washington."  And  Mr.  Wontus 
accordingly  sat  down  and  wrote  the  letters,  giving  full  par- 
ticulars about  how  he  wished  to  go  about  among  the  soldiers, 
at  his  own  expense,  and  lend  them  a  helping  hand  wherever 
he  was  able.  He  had  no  fears  but  that  his  application  would 
meet  with  success,  for  his  friend  Moxley  was  a  clerk  in  one  of 
the  departments,  and  he  felt  that  Mr.  Lincoln,  who  had  never 
been  known  to  refuse  a  kindness  when  it  was  in  his  power  to 
grant  it,  more  particularly  when  it  was  intended  for  the  good 
of  his  brave  soldiers,  would  grant  his  request.  But  as  yet 
Mr.  Wontus  did  not  know  how  many  his  party  would  number, 
so,  leaving  a  blank  space,  he  patiently  awaited  the  appearance 
of  his  friend,  Mr.  Nidd. 

"  He's  comin'  !"  shouted  Thoma§,  rushing  into  the  room. 
And  in  truth  he  was,  for  the  words  had  scarce  died  on  the  ser- 
vant's lijDS  than  a  tall,  red-ficed,  gaunt-looking,  middle-aged 
gentleman  presented  himself  at  the  door,  and,  without  further 
ceremony,  w^ilked  into  the  room.  His  hair  was  of  a  brownish 
hue,  and  was  clipped  close  to  his  head.  A  pair  of  small, 
deep-set  blue  eyes  looked  out  from  beneath  a  pair  of  shaggy 
eyebrows;  and  a  stiff,  reddish  beard,  trimmed  close,  sur- 
rounded his  face  and  mouth.  His  legs  and  arms  were  long, 
but  not  disproportionate  to  his  body,  and  his  clothes  were  of 
the  shabby-genteel  order,  much  the  worse  for  wear. 

2^ 


18  WOXTUS,  OR 

"  Wontus,"  said  he,  in  a  sharp,  brusque  manner,  "what  do 
you  want?" 

"  My  dear  Nidd !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  jumping  up  and 
grasping  his  friend  by  the  hand,  "  I  want  to  give  you  a  little 
recreation :  I  want  you  to  accompany  me,  to  leave  business  to 
the  dogs  for  awhile,  and  enjoy  a  little  of  life  while  there  is 
yet  time." 

"  Uh  !"  ejaculated  Mr.  Nidd. 

"  Why,  it  will  be  grand ;  so  new,  so  novel,  and  decidedly 
original.  Why,  we'll  be  the  wonder  and  admiration  of  the 
world,"  continued  Wontus,  without  heeding  the  skeptical 
glances  which  his  friend  bestowed  upon  him.  "  Why,  I  can  see 
us  now,  as  we  journey  along  and  view — always  from  a  safe 
place,  Nidd,  always  from  a  safe  place — the  shock  of  battle, 
and " 

"  Stop  !"  cried  Mr.  Nidd,  commandingly.  "  What  in  the 
devil  are  you  talking  about?" 

"  Yes,  yes,"  said  Wontus,  "  I  had  forgotten.  Come,  be 
seated,  my  dear  Nidd.  Tommy,  give  us  two  glasses  and  that 
bottle  on  the  top  shelf.  Come,  sit  down,  Nidd,  and  I'll  relate 
to  you  my  plans." 

Both  gentlemen  were  seated,  and,  after  having  refreshed 
themselves,  Mr.  Wontus  entered  into  a  full  and  complete 
explanation  of  his  plans.  At  first  Mr.  Nidd  laughed,  and 
pooh-poohed  the  whole  affiiir  as  visionary  and  impracticable ; 
but  Mr.  Wontus  knew  better,  and  then  the  gentlemen  again 
refreshed  themselves  from  the  bottle,  which  stood  between 
them  on  the  table. 

"  My  business,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  after  a  time,  "  would  suf- 
fer by  my  absence ;  in  truth,  to  be  candid,  Wontus,  I'm  too 
poor." 

"  Poor?"  echoed  Mr.  Wontus.  "  Why,  Nidd,  you  haven't 
spent  an  unnecessary  cent  since  your  good  wife  died ;  let  me 
see,  that's  five  years  ago,  and  your  conveyancing  business  has 
been  large, — I  know  it  has.  You  ought  to  be  a  very  rich 
man.     I'm  afraid " 

Mr.  Wontus  was  intemipted  by  his  friend  jumping  up  and 
declaring  that  the  whole  aflfair  was  impossible ;  and  then  he 
showered  such  a  multitude  of  objections  and  obstacles  on  Mr. 
Wontus  that,  had  that  gentleman  not  been  thoroughly  imbued 
with  the  idea,  he  would  probably  have  given  it  up. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  19 

"Come,  come,  Nidd !"  cried  Wontus,  rising,  forcing  his 
friend  into  a  cliair,  "  I  need  your  services  in  tliis  matter,  and 
I  am  willing  to  pay  for  them.  (Nidd's  eyes  brightened.)  Yes, 
you  will  receive  enough  from  me  to  bear  your  expenses,  and  I 
insist  that  you  shall  take  a  holiday, — your  health  and  spirits 
need  it."  And  then  Mr.  Wontus  grew  eloquent  over  the  origi- 
nality and  beauty  of  his  plans,  and  argued  so  conclusively  that 
at  length  Mr.  Nidd  was  able  to  see  some  merit  in  it,  and  re- 
marked that  he  did  need  a  little  recreation,  and  finally,  with 
the  influence  of  the  friendly  bottle,  consented  to  at  once  close 
up  his  office,  and  assist  in  making  the  necessary  awangements. 

"  Thomas  will  accompany  us,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  after  it  had 
been  settled  that  Mr.  Nidd  would  immediately  render  his  as- 
sistance in  making  the  preparations ;  "  but  I've  been  thinking," 
he  continued,  after  a  pause,  "  that  it  wouldn't  be  a  bad  idea 
for  us  to  have  with  us  a  younger  and  more  experienced  man 
than  you  or  I,  Nidd, — a  man  who  has  seen  the  world,  and  who 
is  familiar  with  men  and  things.  Such  a  man  could  probably 
be  procured,  and,  I  have  no  doubt,  would  be  a  great  saving 
as  well  as  service  to  us.  I've  thought  for  a  long  time  of  placing 
a  man  in  the  Army  as  a  substitute  for  myself.  I  might  get 
such  a  man  to  accompany  us,  and  when  the  Government  needed 
his  services,  why,  we  could  just  put  him  into  the  ranks.  What 
do  you  think  of  that,  old  fellow?"  almost  shouted  Mr.  Wontus; 
"  a  grand  idea,  eh?" 

"  Well,"  replied  Mr.  Nidd,  sipping  his  liquor,  and  gazing 
out  of  the  window,  "  the  idea  is  good ;  but  I  am  afraid " 

"  What  are  you  afraid  of?"  queried  Mr.  Wontus,  firing  up. 

"  The  expense  would  be " 

"  Expense  be  dod-rotted  1"  shouted  Mr.  Wontus.  "  Nidd, 
I'm  a  rich  man,  and  this  war  is  making  me  richer  ;  my  property 
is  worth  nearly  double  w^hat  it  was  a  year  ago,  and  I've  got 
more  money  than  I  really  have  any  use  for.  To  be  sure,  I've 
contributed  pretty  well  to  the  different  funds  for  the  help  of 
the  government  and  the  soldiers,  but  I've  got  money  to  spare. 
I've  never  spent  anything  for  pleasure ;  I've  lived  like  a  miser 
all  my  life,  and  I'm  resolved  to  make  a  change.  (A  pause.) 
Another  thing,  Nidd :  we'll  die  some  of  these  days,  and  we 
can't  take  our  money  with  us,  you  know." 

"  But  we  can  benefit  our  families,"  suggested  Mr.  Nidd. 

"  Our  families  ?    What  family  have  you  or  I  got  ?    Nobody. 


20  WOXTUS,  OR 

I've  got  relations,  but  what  do  I  know  about  them,  or  they 
about  me?"  Mr.  Wontus  ceased  speaking  for  a  moment 
and  gazed  abstractedly  at  the  table.  "  Well,  no  matter,"  he 
continued,  as  though  following  out  a  line  of  thought,  "I'm 
resolved." 

And  after  a  little  more  talk  it  was  settled  that  Mr.  Wontus, 
Mr.  Nidd,  and  Mr.  Thomas  Thomson  should  immediately 
settle  their  affairs  and  be  ready  to  leave  for  the  war  without 
delay. 

"  Nidd,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  as  that  gentleman  was  about  to 
leave,  "  see  if  you  can't  get  such  a  man  as  we  want.  See  some 
of  your  friends,  and  get  a  man  if  possible  ;  for  such  a  man — 
a  smart,  active  fellow — will  be  of  great  service  to  us ;  don't 
you  see  ?  ' 

Mr.  Wontus  would  probably  have  gone  on  expatiating  on 
the  necessary  qualities  for  such  a  man  to  be  possessed  of  for 
an  indefinite  time,  but  Mr.  Nidd  suddenly  signified  that  he 
did  see !  and  left  the  room,  promising  to  call  again  in  the 
evening. 

x\ll  was  bustle  and  excitement  in  Mr.  Wontus's  room  during 
the  rest  of  the  day.  Thomas  Thomson  was  dodging  here  and 
there ;  one  moment  doing  a  chore  here  and  the  next  moment 
undoing  what  he  had  just  completed.  The  closets  and  trunks 
and  boxes  were  raked  out,  and  their  contents  piled  in  heaps 
on  the  floor,  only  to  be  thrown  back  again  in  worse  confusion 
than  they  were  before ;  chaos  existed  in  every  direction,  and 
Mr.  Thomson  appeared  to  have  suddenly  been  transferred  to 
realms  of  perfect  bliss.  He  chuckled  with  inward  delight ;  the 
longings  of  his  heart  were  at  last  to  be  gratified, — he  was  to  see 
the  world,  and  in  a  sphere  which,  he  fondly  hoped,  would  pass 
his  name  into  history.  (Be  it  known  that  Thomas  Thomson, 
although  a  man  filling  an  humble  station  in  life,  had  aspirations 
like  other  men,  and,  without  knowing  exactly  how  or  why,  he 
hoped  to  gratify  them.)  As  for  Mr.  Wontus,  he  was  the  em- 
bodiment of  pleasurable  excitement.  His  room  was  too  small 
to  contain  him,  and,  leaving  Tommy  to  make  whatever  arrange- 
ments he  chose,  he  rushed  down-stairs  to  acquaint  his  landlord 
with  his  determination.  This  he  did  in  a  flighty,  almost  in- 
coherent, way,  much  to  that  gentleman's  consternation  and 
sorrow,  for  Mr.  Wontus  was  not  only  one  of  his  most  respect- 
able boarders,  but  one  of  the  most  profitable,  and  he  was  sorry 


THE  CORPS  OF  OBSERVATION.  21 

to  have  him  leave ;  but  Mr.  Wontus  was  determined,  and  the 
landlord's  best  efforts  toward  persuading  him  to  relinquish  his 
project  were  lost.  Mr.  Wontus  would  listen  to  nothing,  and 
in  high  glee  he  rushed  into  the  street,  buttonholing  his  ac- 
quaintances, and  bestowing  alms  on  all  who  asked.  He  was 
at  peace  with  himself  and  all  mankind,  and  he  looked  upon 
every  soldier  he  met  as  his  friend  and  companion.  He  was 
not  what  is  generally  termed  a  "  drinking  man,"  although  he 
would  occasionally  imbibe  with  a  friend,  but  on  this  occasion 
he  came  near  forgetting  that  he  was  the  retired  merchant,  and 
evening  found  the  jolly  Mr.  Wontus  jollier  than  ever. 

On  returning  to  his  quarters,  he  found  them  occupied  by 
his  friend,  Mr.  Gascon  Nidd,  and  a  stranger.  The  new-comer 
appeared  to  be  perfectly  at  his  ease,  and,  with  one  leg  thrown 
over  the  arm  of  his  chair,  he  sat  reading  one  of  the  papers 
which  Mr.  Thomson  had  raked  from  the  closet  and  left  lying 
on  the  floor. 

Throwing  his  hat  upon  the  table,  and  running  his  fingers 
through  his  hair,  he  hailed  the  gentlemen  in  a  gleeful  way,  and 
offered  a  hand  to  each.  Mr.  Nidd  merely  nodded  his  head, 
but  the  strange  gentleman  was  on  his  feet  in  a  flash,  and, 
grasping  Mr.  AVontus's  extended  hand  in  both  of  his,  imme- 
diately poured  forth  such  a  volume  of  language  that,  for  the 
moment,  Mr.  Wontus  was  taken  quite  aback. 

"  I'm  delighted  to  see  and  know  you,  sir,"  cried  the  stranger. 
"  I  hope  you  enjoy  good  health,  and  will  continue  to  do  so 
forever." 

"  Mr.  Wilkins, — Mr.  Benjamin  Wilkins,  Mr.  Wontus,"  said 
Nidd,  introducing  the  gentleman. 

"  Glad  to  see  you,  sir ;  very  glad  to  see  you,  sir.  Sorry  I 
can't  offer  you  more  hospitable  quarters ;  but,  you  see,  I'm 

about  to  go  to  war,  and Tommy!  Tommy!"  shouted 

Mr.  Wontus ;  but  Tommy  was  not  to  be  found.  Like  his 
master,  he  had  found  it  impossible  to  restrain  his  joy,  and  he 
had  gone  out,  where  there  was  room  to  vent  it. 

"  AVar,  Mr.  Wontus,  war  ?"  remarked  the  new  acquaintance, 
with  considerable  gusto,  as  Mr.  Wontus  sank  into  a  chair. 
"  Ah,  sir,  I  have  seen  it  in  all  its  beauties,  terrors,  and  vicissi- 
tudes. The  treacherous  sands  of  Mexico  have  blistered  my 
feet,  and  I've  slept  among  the  magnolias  and  cactuses ;  the 
burning  suns  of  India  have  blinded  me, — I  was  one  of  the  de- 


22  WONTUS,  OR 

voted  garrison  of  Liicknow. — and  my  eyes  beheld  the  snows 
and  suflerin's  of  the  Crimea.  I  have  seen  it  all  as  a  soldier  of 
fortune,  and  I  love  the  life  with  all  its  dangers ;  bravery  con- 
quers all  difficulties." 

"  You've  seen  it  all !"  gasped  Mr.  Wontus. 

'■^AU!     Yes,  and  more " 

It  is  impossible  to  say  how  much  further  Mr.  Wilkins  would 
have  gone  had  it  not  been  that  Mr.  Nidd  interrupted  him  with 
the  statement  that  Benjamin  Wilkins  was  the  man  who  had 
been  recommended  to  him  as  the  sort  of  person  Mr.  Wontus 
wished  to  secure. 

"Ah,  yes, — yes,  I  remember;  a  capital  man,  Mr.  Nidd, — a 
capital  man.  Mr.  Wilkins,  I  am  glad  to  see  you, — to  know 
you,  sir.  You  have  heard  what  we  propose  to  do  ?"  And  Mr. 
Wontus  again  grasped  the  new-comer's  hand  and  shook  it 
warmly. 

At  last  it  was  all  arranged  that  Mr.  Wilkins  should  go 
with  the  party  as  a  substitute  and  general  managing  man. 
He  was  to  receive  thirteen  dollars  a  month  during  the  time 
that  he  was  with  ^Ir.  Wontus,  and  when  that  gentleman  de- 
sired him  to  enter  the  service  of  his  country  as  his  represent- 
ative, he  was  to  receive  a  present  of  five  hundred  dollars  in 


A  day  passed.  During  the  time  that  the  baggage  was  being 
packed  and  the  effects  of  the  different  gentlemen  were  being 
disposed  of,  Mr.  Wilkins' s  services  were  of  great  value.  He 
understood  everything,  and  appeared  to  have  an  instinctive 
knowledge  as  to  where  everything  was  to  be  had  at  the  shortest 
notice.  ■  Had  it  not  been  for  his  expensive  habits  Mr.  Wontus 
would  have  thought — he  was  very  near  to  it  already — that  his 
services  were  absolutely  indispensable. 

At  length  everything  was  arranged.  By  the  advice  of  Mr. 
Wilkins,  each  one  of  the  party  was  provided  with  an  outfit 
of  woolen  clothing;  and  an  extensive  assortment  of  bottles,  etc., 
were  put  in  the  charge  of  Mr.  Thomas  Thomson.  At  last  all 
was  in  readiness,  and  the  party — Mr.  Wontus,  Mr.  Nidd,  Mr. 
Wilkins,  and  3Ir.  Thomson — were  assembled  in  the  first-named 
gentleman's  room  for  the  last  time. 

'*  I  feel  a  little  sad.  for  all,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  looking  about 
the  familiar  walls  of  his  room. 

"  Bad  time  !"  snapped  Mr.  Nidd. 


THE   CORPS   OF  OBSERVATION.  23 

"  There  is  a  feelin'  of  tenderness  for  that  which  we  have 
lived  among,"  said  Mr.  Wilkins,  sympathetically, — '^  a  sort  of 
indescribable  feelin'  ;  I  don't  wonder  at  your  havin'  sad 
feelin's,  Mr.  Wontus.  For  myself,  I  am  a  man  of  the  world, 
and  all  places  are  home  to  me." 

"  Wilkins,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  touched  with  the  remarks  of 
his  companion,  "  I  have  to  look  at  you,  sometimes ;  you  are 
evidently  a  man  of  varied  attainments  and  ability.  Some  day 
you  must  tell  us  the  story  of  your  life, — why  not  to-night?" 

"  I  would  be  delighted  to  do  so  ;  but  first  I  have  a  propo- 
sition to  make  which  I  hope  will  meet  with  your  approval.  It 
is  this :  That  inasmuch  as  we  shall  be  all  together,  and  travelin' , 
as  it  was,  as  one  man,  I  propose  that  we  resolve  ourselves  into 
a  corps,  and  that,  out  of  compliment  to  the  chief  of  our  party, 
we  call  it '  The  Wontus  Corps  of  Observation,'  as  a  slight 
testimonial  of  our  high  regard,  confidence,  and  respect.  What 
say  you,  gentlemen  ?" 

"  I  beg  of  you,  gentlemen,"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  who  was 
modest,  but  who,  for  all  that,  had  his  little  vanities, — "  I  beg 
of  you,  gentlemen,  don't  call " 

"  Mr.  Wilkins,  your  proposition  is  a  good  one,"  cried  Mr. 
Nidd.  "I  say  '  The  Wontus  Corps  of  Observation' ;"  and  so 
it  was  settled.  They  drank  each  other's  good  health,  Mr. 
Thomson  arriving  in  time  to  be  one  of  the  party,  and  then 
Mr.  Wontus  demanded  the  story. 

"  Well,  gentlemen,  I'll  tell  you  something  about  myself; 
but  I  beg  of  you  not  to  be  curious."  And  Mr.  Wilkins  drew 
the  back  of  his  hand  across  his  mouth,  and,  leaning  forward 
in  his  chair,  commenced  a  sketch  of  his  life,  which  properly 
should  have  a  place  of  its  own. 


24  WOXTUS,  OR 


CHAPTER  11. 

"WHEREIN   A  REMARKABLE   MAN   RELATES  A   REMARKABLE 
STORY    AND    ASTONISHES    HIS    HEARERS. 

"  It  is  scarcely  necessary,"  said  the  narrator,  "  for  me  to 
say  that  I  was  born,  since  the  fact  of  my  bein'  here  is  fair 
evidence  of  that  important  fact.  I  was  born,  however,  in 
America,  but  exactly  when  or  where  I  can't  fully  determine, 
for  m}^  father  was  a  man  of  the  world,  and  moved  his  family 
frequently ;  but  I  think  it  was  somewhere  on  the  coast  of  New 
Jersey,  since  my  earliest  recollections  are  associated  with  sand 
and  the  sea.  Ours  was  a  numerous  family,  well  known  and 
highly  respected,  I  assure  you  ;  in  fact,  my  father  once  had 
some  idea  of  being  governor  of  the  State,  but  soon  after  the 
idea  occurred  to  him  he  moved  into  the  State  of  Delaware, 
and  the  idea  was  practically  lost  forever.  To  be  brief,  soon 
after  takin'  up  our  residence  in  our  new  home,  my  father  had 
the  misfortune  to  be  taken  down  with  a  fever,  and  finally 
handed  in  his  checks.  Well,  I  was  the  youngest  in  the 
family,  and,  guessin'  from  that  stand-point,  I  must  now  be 
somewhere  in  the  neighborhood  of  thirty  years  old. 

"  As  I  have  before  remarked,  the  family  was  large,  and  so 
each  one — we  were  all  boys — was  compelled  to  go  to  work. 
I  fancied  the  gay  and  hardy  life  of  a  sailor,  and  accordiu'ly, 
soon  after  the  old  man's  death,  shipped  before  the  mast  in 
a  vessel  bound  for  Spain.  I  couldn't  have  been  more  than 
fifteen  years  old  at  the  time,  but  from  that  moment  a  new 
life,  with  all  its  charms  and  allurements,  was  spread  before  me. 
Our  crew  wasn't  numerous,  so,  boy  that  I  was,  I  did  man's 
duty ;  and,  to  show  you  how  I  succeeded,  allow  me  to  relate 
the  fii*st  adventure  of  my  life.  It  seems  to  me  that  I  was  cut 
out  for  adventures.     But  let  me  to  the  adventure. 

"Perhaps  you  gentlemen  are  not  familiar  with  vessels? 
But  no  matter.  You  see  we  were  standin'  out  of  Delaware 
Bay  with  a  spankin'  breeze  on  our  lee  quarter ;  the  cook  had 
just   served  coff"eej  and  I  was  just  commencin'  to  take  my 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  25 

trick  at  the  tiller,  when  Captain  Coldin',  who  commanded  the 
Jane  Ann,  came  abaft  the  galley,  and,  throwin'  an  eye  to 
windward,  remarked  that  he  guessed  that  we'd  have  a  blow. 
I  looked  up,  but  not  bein'  much  versed  in  the  weather  signs 
at  that  time,  I  said  nothin,'  but  kept  her  close  up  to  the  wind. 
'Mr.  Johnsing,'  said  the  captain,  addressin'  the  first  mate, 
*  what's  your  'pinion  as  to  dust  ?'  That's  a  singular  way  these 
seaf'arin'  men  have  of  talkin',"  remarked  Mr.  Wilkins,  as  his 
listeners  manifested  some  surprise.  "  '  Shake  my  eyes,'  says  the 
mate,  '  but  I  guess  we'll  have  a  spell.'  Well,  the  officers  went  on 
talkin'  for  some  time,  when  all  at  once  the  heavens  became 
overcast  and  the  wind  blowed  great  guns.  '  Tack,  tack  !' 
cried  Captain  Coldin',  as  he  grasped  the  taifi-ail  and  swung 
the  spanker-boom  around  on  her  davits.  '  Tack  she  is !'  I 
shouted ;  but  it  wasn't  within  the  power  of  mortal  man  to 
save  her.  §he  swung  round  on  her  beam  like  a  tub,  and 
plunged  a  couple  of  times,  and  then  went  down  in  eighty 
fathoms  of  water  with  every  soul  on  board." 

"  Oh,  dear  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  with  a  shudder.  "  How 
horrible  !     And  were  none  of  them  saved  ?" 

"  Where  were  you?"  interrupted  Mr.  Nidd,  incredulously. 

"Well,"  continued  Mr.  Wilkins,  "I  had  learned  to  swim 
before  I  left  home  ;  and,  although  I  was  chilled  by  the  water, 
for  it  was  in  November,  if  I  mistake  not,  I  no  sooner  found  that 
it  would  be  useless  to  undertake  to  save  the  ship  or  her  crew, 
than  I  grew  selfish,  and  resolved  to  save  myself.  It  is  singu- 
lar— perhaps  you  have  noticed  it  yourself — how  a  man's 
thoughts  will  travel  through  his  head  in  the  short  space  of  a 
little  while,  but  it  is  nevertheless  true,  for,  as  I  sank  down,  I 
formed  a  plan  by  which  I  felt  that  I  could  save  myself;  so  the 
moment  I  struck  bottom  I  says  to  myself,  '  Ben,  this  is  do  or 
die;  there's  a  telegraph  cable  laid  somewhere  hereabouts,  and 
if  you  can  find  it,  why,  you  can  find  the  shore,' — you  see  I 
knew  that  the  other  end  was  fastened  to  the  shore  somewhere 
near  one  of  the  light-houses, —  so  I  commenced  huntin'  around 
in  the  mud,  and,  after  considerable  trouble,  I  found  it,  and 
hand  over  hand  pulled  myself  to  dry  laud." 

"  Just  stop  there,  will  you,  Mr.  Wilkins?"  asked  Mr.  Nidd. 
"  How  far  from  land  do  you  suppose  you  were  when  your 
vessel  capsized?" 

"  About  seven  miles." 
B  3 


26  )VOXTUS,  OR 

"The  cable  was  lying  on  the  bottom,  I  suppose?" 

"  Yes,  sir." 

'•  And  you  pulled  yourself  all  the  way  to  land  by  means  of 
the  cable?" 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Well,  now,  sir,"  continued  Mr.  Nidd,  in  a  decided  and 
matter-of-fact  manner,  "we  would  like  to  know  how  long  you 
can  hold  your  breath  eighty  fathoms  under  water?" 

The  party  all  looked  at  ]Mr.  Wilkins,  and  that  gentleman 
looked  puzzled.  The  question  was  evidently  a  poser  and  quite 
unexpected.  In  a  moment  his  face  assumed  an  air  of  injured 
innocence,  and  he  said : 

"  You  see,  I  didn't  hold  fast  to  the  cable  all  the  time,  but 
would  let  go  every  once  in  awhile,  come  to  the  surface,  take 
a  breath,  and  go  down  again.  That's  the  way  it  was.  You 
see  there  is  nothin'  astonishin'  in  that." 

"  Certainly  not,"  said  Mr.  Xidd,  evidently  relieved  from  a 
painful  doubt. 

"  A  most  miraculous  escape,"  cried  Mr.  Wontus.  "  Take 
something,  Mr.  Wilkins  ;  it  makes  the  cold  chills  crawl  up  my 
back  to  iJimk  cf  it." 

Why  a  libation  should  have  such  a  soothing  effect  upon  man 
has  been  a  mooted  question  with  the  philosophers  since  the 
days  of  Xoah,  and  will  continue  time  without  end,  and  it  would 
be  folly  for  a  man  to  undertake  to  analyze  the  causes  now. 
Certain  it  is,  however,  that  frequent  libations  invariably  make 
men  better  or  worse  than  when  in  their  rational,  sober  senses ; 
and  on  this  occasion  even  the  austere  Nidd  became  more  genial 
and  clever  than  was  usual  with  him. 

''  But  you  haven't  finished,"  said  Wontus,  after  the  com- 
pany had  sipped  their  liquor  for  a  few  moments  in  silence. 

'•  By  no  means,"  cried  Mr.  Nidd, — "  by  no  means.  Go  on, 
Mr.  Wilkins." 

''  Well,  as  I  was  savin',"  continued  Mr.  Wilkins,  "  I  landed 
at  the  light-house,  and  had  just  strength  enough  to  crawl  to 
its  friendly  shelter,  when  I  fainted, — something  I  never  did 
before  or  since ;  and  that  was  the  last  I  knowed  until  I  found 
myself  comfortably  tucked  in  bed,  with  a  bright  fire  in  the 
hearth  and  the  savory  odor  of  delicious  cookin'  pervadin'  my 
room.  To  make  a  long  story  short,  for  the  most  important 
part  of  my  life  is  unspoken  as  yet,  I  remained  at  the  light-house 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  27 

for  some  two  years  as  assistant  to  Mr.  Caddie,  the  light-keeper, 
and  finally  ended  by  shippin'  on  a  passin'  brigantine  I'or  Liver- 
pool." 

"  Did  you  never  hear  of  the  Jane  Ann  f"  queried  Mr. 
Wontus,  anxiously. 

"  Nary  a  word." 

"  Nor  her  crew  ?"  asked  Mr.  Thomson. 

"  They  w:is  never  heard  of  more, — leastwise  not  by  me  !" 

"  Proceed  !"  commanded  Mr.  Nidd. 

Cleansing  his  throat,  Mr.  Wilkins  proceeded : 

"  For  me  to  tell  you  all  that  happened  to  me  from  that  day 
to  this — how  I  was  wrecked  on  a  lonely  island,  and  remained 
over  four  years,  to  be  at  last  picked  up  by  a  man-of-war  which 
had  lost  her  course ;  how  I  came  out  safely  and  again  went  to 
Europe,  to  become  a  soldier  in  Her  Majesty's  Second  Royal  In- 
fantry ;  how  I  fought  and  bled  in  the  Crimea,  and  the  deeds  I 
done ;  how  I  went  clear  through  the  Injun  rebellion  from 
Tzgampopore  to  Lucknow,  and  then  walked  through  Germany 
and  Central  Europe — would  take  more  time  than  we  have  at 
our  disposal  at  present." 

Mr.  Nidd  drew  a  long  breath. 

"  Arrivin'  in  Holland,  I  for  the  first  time  heard  of  these 
domestic  conwulsions  that  was  disturbin'  the  equilibrium  of 
society  in  my  native  land ;  and  proceedin'  at  once  to  Amster- 
djini,  I  there  learned  that  the  strife  had  commenced,  and  men 
was  needed  to  perpetuate  the  honor  and  glory  of  our  govern- 
ment. I  had  been  away  from  my  native  land  for  a  long  while ; 
but  there  was  always,  under  all  circumstances,  a  lingerin'  love 
for  the  home  of  my  childhood,  and  I  resolved  to  make  my 
way  homeward.  I  was  compelled  to  wait  for  some  days  for  a 
vessel,  and  durin'  this  time  a  most  unfortunate  accident  oc- 
curred to  me.  But  I  will  only  state  that  I  had  the  misfortune 
to  be  robbed  at  my  hotel  of  everything  I  possessed,  and  when 
the  vessel  was  ready  to  sail,  instead  of  takin'  my  place  in  her 
as  a  saloon  passenger,  as  would  become  me, — a  man  of  the 
world, — I  was  compelled  to  ship  before  the  mast." 

"  A  shame  !"  groaned  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  Yes,  gentlemen,  I  felt  a  little  cast  down  like  at  my  mis- 
fortune ;  but  I  was  used  to  all  sorts  of  life,  and  I  felt  that  I 
would  certainly  be  appreciated  when  I  once  had  an  opportunity 
to  make  my  value  known  to  the  captain.     The  sailors  was  all 


28  WOXTUS,   OB 

Dutch,  and  from  the  start  appeared  to  take  a  dislike  to  me ; 
hut  when  the  captain  finally  took  me  aft,  and  made  me  his 
confidential  clerk,  their  rage  was  tremendious.  But  what 
mattered  that  to  me  ?  I  only  asked  time  to  prove  to  them 
that  I  was  their  best  friend  ;  but,  alas  !  that  time  never  came. 
My  duties  kept  me  very  busy,  for  I  made  out  all  the  reckon- 
in's,  kept  the  log,  and  so  forth,  and  although  we  was  out 
nearly  two  months,  yet  I  never  had  an  opportunity  in  all  that 
time  to  approach  my  messmates.  I  assure  you  there  was 
nothin'  of  pride  in  the  matter  on  my  part.  Everything  went 
along  smoothly  durin'  the  voyage,  and  I  think  we  had  been 
out  about  seven  weeks,  when  one  bright  mornin'  we  became 
becalmed.  There  we  lay  a  rollin'  and  pitchin'  in  the  trough 
of  the  sea  for  days,  and  the  thing  got  monotonous ;  I  felt  it 
myself.  The  ofiicers  raved  and  the  men  swore  ;  but  it  was  all 
of  no  account, — there  wasn't  enough  wind  to  tilt  a  cockle-shell. 

"  I  was  brought  up  a  protestant,  gentlemen,"  continued  the 
speaker,  "  and  there  never  was  anything  like  superstition  in 
my  composition.  But  sailors,  as  a  class,  are  superstitious,  you 
know,  and  Dutch  sailors  particula'ly  so ;  so,  when  one  of  the 
fo'top  men  said  that  the  reason  why  we  was  becalmed  was  be- 
cause we  had  an  evil  spirit  on  board,  there  was  a  general  howl 
of  assent  on  the  fo'castle,  and  from  that  moment  nothin' 
would  do  but  that  the  man,  whoever  he  was,  must  be  chucked 
overboard.  The  officers  did  their  best,  but  everybody  was 
dissatisfied,  and  the  affair  resulted  in  somebody  assertin'  that 
/was  the  cause  of  all  the  misery,  and  that  /  should  be  the 
man  to  go  into  the  sea.  Well,  gentlemen,  I  was  never  afraid 
in  my  life,  and  I  didn't  fear  even  now ;  but  I  certainly  did 
object  to  the  unceremonious  way  they  had  of  declarin'  that  I 
was  the  man  possessed,  so  I  proposed  that  it  wouldn't  be  any- 
thing more  than  fair  for  us  to  draw  lots,  and  the  man  who 
drawed  the  unlucky  number  should  be  the  man  to  go  over- 
board. They  wouldn't  listen  to  this  for  a  time,  but  the 
officers  and  passengers  all  said  that  it  wasn't  nothin'  more  than 
was  right,  and  at  last  the  men  had  to  give  in.  The  arrangements 
were  all  made,  and  the  first  mate  cut  the  requisite  number  of 
papers,  and  marked  one  '  unlucky,'  and  the  man  who  drawed 
this  one  was  to  be  considered  as  guilty  of  harborin'  an  evil 
spirit,  and  should  pay  the  penalty  with  his  life." 

Here  31r.  Nidd  gave  Thomas  Thomson  a  severe  kick,  and 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION:  29 

directed  liim  to  snore  in  a  lower  key  ;  liis  high  notes  were  dis- 
agreeable. Mr.  Thomson  took  a  new  position,  and  settled 
back  into  the  arms  of  Morpheus. 

The  narrator  continued : 

"  The  captain  put  the  papers  in  his  hat,  and  each  of  the 
men  stepped  up  and  without  lookin'  drew  one  of  the  papers 
out  and  handed  it  to  the  mate,  who  looked  at  it  carefully  for 
the  word  that  was  to  decide  the  drawer's  fate.  We  had 
formed  a  line,  and  I  was  about  in  the  middle.  It  didn't  make 
much  difference  to  me  whether  I  drew  the  word  or  not ;  so, 
when  I  walked  up,  I  just  stuck  my  hand  carelessly  into  the 
hat,  drawed  a  paper,  handed  it  to  the  mate,  and  was  walk  in' 
aft  when  I  heerd  a  shout  from  the  men  which  appeared  at  that 
moment  like  my  death-knell.  I  had  drawed  the  unlucky 
paper !" 

Mr.  Wontus  groaned,  and  fortified  himself  with  a  small 
libation. 

"  I  halted,  and  the  mate  walked  up  to  me,  and  handed  me 
the  paper.  There  was  no  occasion  for  me  to  look  at  it,  so  I 
merely  remarked  that  I  would  be  ready  in  a  little  while,  and 
then  returned  to  the  cabin  to  finish  the  ship's  work,  which  I 
had  commenced  before  goin'  to  the  drawin',  and  to  arrange  my 
own  private  affairs. 

"  By  the  ship's  chart,  I  reckoned  that  we  were  at  this  time 
somewhere  off  the  coast  of  South  Carolina,  and  about  four 
hundred  miles  from  land.  I  had  finished  the  ship's  business, 
and  was  engaged  in  writin'  a  letter  home,  when  I  was  inter- 
rupted by  the  captain,  who  came  in  and  said  that  the  men 
was  impatient,  and  that  I  must  immej  lately  come  on  deck. 
I  tore  my  letter  to  pieces,  and  in  a  moment  was  on  the  fo'- 
castle.  The  faces  of  the  men  were  wreathed  in  smiles  of  joy ; 
but  the  officers  and  passengers  looked  sorrowful,  and  as  they 
approached  to  bid  me  adieu  forever,  I  noticed  the  tears  trick- 
lin'  down  the  cheeks  of  more  than  one  brave  feller.  But  while 
I  was  receivin'  their  adieus,  it  occurred  to  n;e  that  it  was  my 
duty  to  make  an  effort  to  save  my  life,  so,  signifyin'  that  I 
desired  to  speak,  the  officers  and  men  drew  near,  and  I  com- 
menced : 

"  '  Elates,'  says  I,  '  it  has  been  my  misfortune  to  draw  the 
unlucky  paper  {  but  I  don't  complain.  I  bow  to  the  rule  ; 
but,  while  I  do  so,  I  have  a  slight  boon  to  ask,  which  I  feel 

3-x- 


30  WON  TVS,  OR 

sure  you  will  gratify  me  in.'  There  was  a  buzz  went  through 
the  crowd,  but  I  went  on.  '  What  I  want,'  I  said,  '  is  that 
you  shall  give  me  one  of  the  ship's  casks  and  put  me  inside. 
I  want  some  bread,  meat,  and  water ;  and  also  that  you  will 
give  me  the  bung-hole  plug  in  my  hand  and  leave  the  bung-hole 
open.  There  is  but  little  chance  for  me  to  save  my  life,  but 
still,  if  you  will  grant  me  this  request,  you  shall  retain  a  place 
in  my  memory  which  can't  never  fade  while  I  live.'  Some 
of  the  men  understood  me,  and  some  didn't,  but  after  the 
officer  had  translated  my  remarks  I  noticed  that  the  men 
looked  as  though  they  would  grant  my  request.  '  Let  him 
have  what  he  wants,'  cried  the  boatswain  ;  '  if  he  leaves  the 
ship  all  will  be  well !'  '  Yes,  let  him  have  it,'  echoed  some 
others ;  and,  as  there  was  no  objection,  the  carpenter  got  out 
one  of  the  empty  casks,  and,  while  the  men  were  getting  me 
the  provisions  I  asked  for,  the  carpenter  gave  me  the  bung- 
plug,  put  me  in  the  cask,  and  when  I  had  said  good-by  to 
the  party,  and  got  my  stores,  headed  up  the  cask,  and  I  was 
ready  to  be  tossed  overboard. 

"  Some  time  elapsed  from  the  time  between  the  he^idin'  up 
of  the  cask  and  the  time  that  it  was  chucked  overboard,  which 
I  took  advantage  of  in  arrangin'  my  provisions  and  water, 
and  decidiu'  how  I  would  act.  I  tried  the  plug,  which  I  held 
in  my  hand,  into  the  bung-hole,  and  it  fit  spendidly.  '  Now,' 
says  I  to  myself  '  when  they  cast  me  overboard,  I'll  just  jam 
the  plug  into  the  hole  and  hold  it  there  until  I  come  to  the 
surface,  when  I  can  take  it  out,  and  thus  give  myself  all  the 
air  I  want ;  but  I  must  be  careful  to  keep  the  bung-hole  up, 
or  else  the  water  will  come  in,  and  I'll  be  drowned  sure." 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  see,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  drawing  his  chair 
closer,  his  fiice  wearing  an  expression  of  intense  interest. 

"  I  had  hardly  got  my  calculations  all  made,  when  I  felt 
the  cask  raised  from  the  deck,  carried  to  the  side  of  the  ship, 
and  chucked  overboard.  I  had  taken  the  precaution  to  jam 
the  plug  into  the  hole,  so  when  the  cask  went  down  under  the 
water  she  rolled  some,  but  I  was  as  dry  as  we  gentlemen  are 
at  this  moment.  The  cask  didn't  remain  under  the  water 
verj'  long,  and  when  it  rose  to  the  surface  I  pulled  the  plug 
out,  and  thus  I  was  safe  and  sound. — not  so  sci/e.  but  very 
sound.  (Here  Mr.  W.  laughed.)  The  wind  springin'  up 
shortly  after,   I  was    left   floatiu'   on    the  ragin',  boundless 


THE   CORPS   OF    OnSERVATTOy.  31 

ocean,  witli  the  sliuimest  chance  for  my  life  that  ever  mortal 
man  had  since  the  creation  of  the  world.  I  rather  beat  old 
Noah  ;  and  I  felt  it,  bnt  I  didn't  cave,  for,  says  I  to  myself, 
'  a  man  who  has  passed  throngh  what  you  have,  Ben  AVilkins, 
and  come  out  safe,  shouldn't  never  despair.' 

"  Well,  the  wind  kept  on  frcshenin'  until  it  came  to  blow  a 
perfect  gale.  I  couldn't  see  anything,  for  the  bung-hole  was 
my  only  window,  but  I  knew  the  sea  must  be  runnin'  high 
from  the  motion  of  the  cask.  The  trouble  I  had  is  beyond 
description  ;  but  between  keepin'  the  provisions  in  their  places 
and  the  bung-hole  closed  over  when  the  waves  rolled  over  the 
cask,  or  vice  versa,  was  a  job,  I  tell  you.  Sometimes  the  cask 
would  roll  clean  over,  and  at  them  times  I  had  to  be  mighty 
spry  to  keep  the  water  out  and  at  the  same  time  to  let  enough 
air  in  ;  but  I  was  equal  to  the  task,  although  I  felt  weak  and 
faint  very  often  ;  and  when  the  storm  went  over,  and  the 
sea  became  more  calm,  I  set  to  work  at  gettin'  somethin' 
to  eat.  There  were  hams,  ship-biscuit,  a  jar  full  of  water,  and 
some  dried  fruits  and  vegetables,  and  so  settin'  down,  with 
the  bung-hole  immejiately  over  my  head,  and  my  provisions 
between  my  knees,  I  managed  to  make  a  solid,  square  meal ; 
and  so  on  I  lived  for  over  a  week,  with  nothin'  happenin' 
worth  noticin',  until  one  mornin' — I  had  fallen  into  a  doze — 
a  light  wind  sprang  up  and  my  cask  careened  to  one  side.  Of 
course  I  was  awake  in  a  moment,  and  by  shiftin'  myself  and 
my  provisions  I  righted  her  before  any  damage  was  done,  but, 
when  I  came  to  look,  I  had  lost  the  plug.  (Sensation  on  the 
part  of  the  listeners.)  Whatever  became  of  that  plug  I  don't 
know,  for  I  could  never  find  it.  So  from  that  time  out  I  was 
afraid  to  go  to  sleep.  More  days  passed, — how  many  I  can't 
say, — and  I  was  almost  perishin'  for  sleep,  and,  besides,  my 
provisions  commenced  to  be  scarce,  and  I  was  compelled  to 
put  myself  on  half  rations.  It  wasn't  until  now  that  I  com- 
menced to  despair.  Were  there  no  ships  passin'  to  pick  me 
up,  or  would  they  if  they  did  see  my  barrel  ?  I  feared  not. 
Was  there  no  land  near?  I  couldn't  see  nothin'  but  the  sky. 
I  was  thinkin'  these  things  over  one  afternoon,  when  the  cask 
gave  a  sudden  heave,  and  I  felt  her  strike  bottom.  *  The 
breakers !'  I  cried ;  and  from  that  moment  I  took  heart. 
Bunqi,  bump,  I  went,  strikin'  the  ground  at  every  roll  of  the 
sea,  but  I  braced  my  legs  against  the  side  of  the  cask  and  kept 


32  WOXTUS,  OR 

her  level.  So  on  it  went  for  an  hour  or  two,  when  at  length 
one  wave,  bigger  and  heavier  than  the  othei"s,  picked  me  up 
and  throwed  the  cask  upon  the  sand." 

"  My,  oh  !"  cried  Mr.  Nidd,  skepticjdly. 

"Terrible!  wa.sn't  it?"  said  Mr.  Wuntus.  "But  go  on, 
Mr.  Wilkins,  go  on." 

"  I  felt  that  I  was  safe.  But  fearin'  that  I  might  be  washed 
back  into  the  sea  again,  I  doubled  myself  up,  as  I  had  seen 
the  circus  actors  do  at  Madrid,  and  in  that  way  rolled  my  cask 
over  and  over,  until  I  could  hear  it  crush  in'  the  twigs  and 
grass  beneath  it,  and  then  I  felt  that  I  was  safe.  It  makes  me 
shudder  even  now,  gentlemen,  when  1  think  over  it." 

"  I  should  think  so  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus;  "shouldn't  you, 
Nidd?" 

Mr.  Nidd  volunteered  a  simple  "  Uh  !"  in  reply. 

"  But  how  did  you  make  out  ?  Where  did  you  find  your- 
self?" asked  Mr.  Wontus,  all  interest. 

"  My  glass,  if  you  please,"  said  3Ir.  Wilkins,  with  a  bland 
smile. 

"Shame,  shame,  Nidd!  9/ou  ought  to  have  thought  of  it; 
here  Wilkins  ha.sn't  had  a  drop  all  this  time !  Certainly,  Mr. 
Wilkins  ;  drink  hearty  ;  your  good  health,  sir."  And  Wontus 
helped  Wilkins  and  then  helped  himself,  and  both  drank. 

"  Well,"  said  Mr.  Wilkins,  after  having  wiped  his  mouth  with 
the  back  of  his  hand,  "you  see  I  was  now  in  a  new  fix ;  to 
be  sure  there  was  no  danger  of  my  bein'  drowned,  but  there  I 
was  coopered  up  in  the  cask,  as  tight  and  as  fast  as  if  I  was 
so  much  mess-pork.  I  tried  to  break  the  heads  and  the  sides, 
but  both  were  too  strong  for  me, — want  of  sleep  and  short 
rations  had  made  me  very  weak,  you  know, — so  I  took  to 
shoutin',  and  shouted  until  I  was  hoarse ;  but  all  of  no  avail, 
for  another  day  dawned  and  found  me  as  great  a  prisoner  as 
ever  Baron  Trenck  was.  The  sun  rose  clear  and  beautiful,  and 
the  birds  sang  their  sweetest  notes  among  the  trees  which 
surrounded  me,  but  there  I  was.  My  cask  lay  with  the  bung- 
hole  toward  the  land,  and  I  could  see  the  green  fields  and  all 
the  ether  beauties  of  nature,  but  no  human  bein'  or  habita- 
tion. I  beat  the  sides  of  the  cask  with  fury  and  shed  tears  of 
anger.  I  couldn't  stand  it  mach  longer,  and  for  the  first  time 
in  my  life  I  was  commencin'  to  despair,  when,  lo  !  a  drove  of 
cattle  hove  in  sight.      How  I  watched  them  cattle !     For  a 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  33 

long  while  I  alternated  between  hope  and  fear,  but  at  length — 
I  cuiild  not  be  mistaken— they  were  comin'  toward  me.  Now, 
thinks  I,  these  cattle  will  be  attended  by  a  human  bein'  with 
whom  I  can  communicate,  and  then  I  shall  be  liberated.  I 
looked  again;  yes,  they  were  comin'  toward  me,  but  oh,  how 
slow!  Gradually  they  approached  nearer  and  nearer,  and 
then,  to  my  great  sorrow,  I  discovered  that  they  were  unat- 
tended. Now  I  heard  a  horn  blowin',  such  as  is  used  in 
country-places  to  call  the  workmen  to  meals.  Heavens  !  was 
I  to  lay  here,  within  sight  and  hearin'  of  civilization,  after 
passin'  through  what  I  had,  and  then  die  of  starvation  ?  The 
thought  was  madness  to  me.  But  I  was  weak  and  could 
not  break  the  walls  that  surrounded  me.  I  was  hoarse  and 
could  not  call  aloud. 

"  By  this  time  the  cattle  had  come  quite  near  me,  and  as 
they  walked  past,  switchin'  the  flies  from  their  backs,  a  new 
thoudit  struck  me.  What  if  I  could  catch  one  of  those  long 
tails  and  pull  it  through  the  bung-hole  ?  Happy  thought ! 
Certainly  the  animal  would  be  frightened  and  run,  and  then 
there  would  be  a  chance  of  the  cask  bein'  broken,  and  me 
liberated.     I  resolved  to  adopt  the  plan." 

"  Glorious  idea!"  shouted  Mr.  Wontus,  interrupting. 
"  No  spider  ever  watched  his  fly  with  more  interest  than  I 
did  them  tails.  The  animals  came  and  rubbed  their  noses 
ao-ainst  the  cask,  but  I  wanted  the  other  end,  and  kept  quiet, 
fearin'  that  I  might  frighten  them  away  altogether.  At 
length  a  fine  large  bull  came  up,  and  after  takin'  a  calm  sur- 
vey°of  the  cask,  walked  leisurely  along  by  its  side  and  halted. 
Now  was  the  time!  so  with  fingers  ready  to  seize  the  tail 
which  occasionally  swept  past  the  hole,  I  waited.  The  long- 
looked-for  moment  came  at  last,  and  catchin'  hold  of  the  end 
of  the  tail,  I  quickly  drew  it  through  the  hole,  and  in  a  twink- 
lin'  had  tied  a  knot  in  that  portion  which  I  had  inside.  I 
couldn't  see  what  was  bein'  done  outside,  for  the  tail  com- 
pletely blocked  up  the  hole,  but  directly  I  felt  the  cask  move, 
first  gently,  then  fiistcr,  and  faster,  and  faster,  until  my  head 
reeled,  and  my  bones  cracked  and  ached  like  a  man  on  the 
rack.  Onward  the  bull  went,  tearin'  through  hedge  and  field, 
as  though  the  devil  had  sent  him,  and  sendin'  up  such  terrific 
roars  a?  to  make  the  very  earth  tremble,— at  least  I  should 
think  so.     I  have  no  recollection  of  how  he  came  to  stop,  for 

B* 


34  WOXTUS,  OR 

I  am  free  to  confess  that  I  fainted ;  but  the  first  thing  I  did 
know  was,  that  I  was  surrounded  with  people,  whose  voices  I 
could  hear  but  whose  language  I  could  not  distinguish. 
Presently,  light  shone  in  at  the  bung-hole,  and  the  knotted  end 
of  the  bull's  tail  fell  into  my  hands.  Soon  after  this,  blows 
resounded  on  the  side  of  the  cask,  and  it  was  broken  open, 
and  in  a  few  moments  after,  amid  exclamations  of  great  wonder, 
I  was  lifted  out  more  dead  than  alive. 

"  Things — brandy  and  water — were  administered  to  me,  and 
after  awhile  I  revived  sufficient  to  be  able  to  inquire  where 
I  was.  The  people  informed  me  that  I  was  in  the  vicinity  of 
Onionville,  on  the  coast  of  North  Carolina,  and  that  I  had  been 
brought  to  my  present  location  by  the  bull  that  lay  dead  by  the 
side  of  the  cask.     I  looked  and  there  hi3  did  lay,  sure  enough. 

"  I  could  have  embraced  that  bull,  gentlemen,  dead  as  he  was, 
had  I  been  able,  but  I  wasn't ;  and  as  the  people  insisted  on 
knowin'  who  I  was,  and  how  I  came  to  be  in  the  cask,  I  related 
as  much  of  the  affair  as  I  thought  proper, — for  they  were  a 
skeptical  people  and  I  was  afraid  to  tell  them  the  whole  truth, 
as  I  have  told  you, — and  after  receivin'  the  mayor  and  other 
city  authorities  who  had  come  out  to  see  me,  in  fittin'  and 
proper  style,  I  consented  to  accept  the  hospitality  offered  me, 
and  shoitly  afterward  took  my  place  in  the  chariot,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  the  city.  Here  I  was  waited  on  by  the  principal 
citizens,  who  heard  of  my  wonderful  escape  from  death,  and 
in  due  course  of  time  recovered  my  health,  and  was  induced 
to  accept  the  pastorate  of  one  of  the  principal  churches  of  the 
place.  Here  I  remained  for  some  three  weeks,  beloved  by  my 
flock,  until  it  came  to  be  understood  that  I  was  a  Northern 
man,  and  then  I  was  promised  a  suit  of  clothes  made  of 
feathers  and  tar,  and  directed  to  leave.  The  inducement  was 
great,  but,  after  a  hasty  consideration,  I  concluded  to  forego 
the  pleasure  of  wearin'  such  a  suit  of  clothes,  and  one  evening, 
with  tears  of  regret,  I  left,  and  here  I  am. 

"  Now,  gentlemen,"  said  Mr.  Wilkins,  after  a  pause,  "  ycu 
know  the  principal  points  of  my  history,  and  I  hope  it  is 
satisfactory.  I  have  only  to  add,  that  I  am  to  be  depended 
on  ;  and  while  I  acknowledge  that  self-praise  is  a  poor  recom- 
mendation, yet  I  take  the  liberty  of  tellin'  you  that  I  think 
you  have,  in  securin'  me.  got  the  right  man  in  the  right  place. 
Finally,  should  you  ever  relate  to  any  man  what  I  have  just 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION'.  35 

related  to  you,  and  he  should  doubt  it,  hand  him  over  to  me, 
and  I'll  attend  to  his  case  with  care  and  consideration." 

"  My  gracious  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  "  but  you  are  really— 
yes,  you  are  really— but  there's  Nidd  gone  to  sleep.  Nidd, 
Nidd  !  I  say,  come,  wake  up." 

"Is  it  over?"  queried  Mr.  Nidd,  opening  his  eyes.  On 
beini^  assured  that  the  story  was  entirely  done,  Mr.  Nidd 
quietly  remarked  that  he  was  going  home,  and  accordingly 
started  for  the  door  sans  ceremonle. 

"Remember,  Nidd,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  "we  start  for 
Philadelphia  at  eight  to-morrow  morning,  so  look  sharp  !" 

"  All  right,' '  sai'd  the  gentleman.  And  he  passed  out  of  the 
door,  soon  to  be  followed  by  Messrs.  Wilkins  and  Thomson,  who 
were,  on  this  occasion,  to  lodge  together. 

"  A  wonderful  man,— a  treasure  ;  a  being  with  a  charmed 
life.  Just  to  think  of  it,  here  I  am  nearly  double  the  age  of 
that  fellow,  and  yet  not  seen  anything.  Never  mind,  my  time 
will  come  yet."  And  thus  soliloquizing,  Mr.  Wontus  un- 
dressed, and  sank  into  slumber,  to  dream  that  he  had  visited 
the  moon,  and  was  to  dine  with  the  man  in  it  on  the  morrow. 


CHAPTER   III. 


STARTS    THE   CORPS   ON    ITS   WINDING   WAY,  AND   RELATES 
SOME   ACCIDENTS    WHICH    BEFELL    THE   TRAVELERS. 

The  sun  had  scarcely  commenced  tinging  the  eastern  hori- 
zon with  its  golden  hues,  when  Mr.  Wontus  leaped  from  his 
couch,  and,  consulting  his  watch,  hastily  dressed  himself 
Everything  was  in  confusion  about  the  room;  trunks  and 
]t)oxes — some  that  were  to  go,  and  some  that  were  to  be  left  \>q- 
hind — were  jumbled  in  confusion  in  different  parts  of  the 
room ;  and  Mr.  Wontus  was  in  deep  distress.  He  shouted 
for  Tommy  to  fetch  his  shaving- water ;  but  there  was  no  re- 
sponse from  his  usually  punctual  servant.  Mr.  Wontus's 
anger  did  not  have  the  slightest  eifect  on  the  man  ;  and  that 
very  moment  the  servant  was  regaling  himself  with  sundry 
"smiles,"  in  company  with    Mr.  Wilkins,  in  the   bar-room 


36  T^^o.vrr.S',  or 

below,  where  they  had  spent  the  entire  night  drinking  to  the 
health,  wealth,  and  prosperity  of  Mr,  Wontus,  who  they  both 
declared  was  the  best  man  in  the  world,  and  who,  by  the  way, 
was  to  settle  for  the  liquor  they  were  drinking.  The  arrival 
of  Mr.  Gascon  Nidd  put  an  end  to  their  amusement,  as  it  also 
did  to  the  rather  forcible  language  of  Mr.  AVontus. 

Both  the  servant  and  Mr.  Wilkins  were  very  drunk  when 
they  presented  themselves  ;  but  there  was  no  time  to  lose,  and, 
at  the  risk  of  numerous  necessary  articles  being  left  behind, 
both  of  the  worthies  were  hustled  into  the  express-wagon,  and 
were  quickly  followed  by  such  baggage  as  had  been  arranged 
the  day  previous ;  Mr.  Wontas  and  Mr.  Nidd  each  lending 
his  assistance  in  handling  the  trunks  and  boxes.  At  length 
the  wagon  rattled  away  from  the  door,  and  Mr.  Wontus  re- 
turned to  the  bar-room  to  bid  his  landlord  adieu. 

AVith  a  final  shake  of  the  hand  Mr.  Wontus  parted  from 
the  generous  Mr.  Diddler,  and  the  carriage,  containing  Mr. 
Wontus  and  his  friend,  rumbled  through  the  streets  to  the 
ferry,  where  the  duo  which  had  preceded  them  waited. 

Thus  far  everything  had  progressed  rather  favorably,  and 
Mr.  Wontus  and  the  other  members  of  the  corps  had  scarcely 
taken  their  seats  in  the  cars  when  the  little  trials  and  incidents 
were  dismissed  from  Mr.  Wontus' s  mind,  and  he  devoted  him- 
self to  an  inspection  of  surrounding  objects,  while  Mr  Xidd 
settled  himself  back  in  his  seat  and  buried  his  flice  in  the 
morning  newspaper.  Messrs.  Thomson  and  Wilkins  had  taken 
an  end  seat,  and  having  planted  their  feet  on  the  seat  in  front 
of  them,  which  I  presume  is  an  indication  of  serene  independ- 
ence, settled  themselves  to  sleep. 

The  day  was  bright  and  pleasant,  and  Mr.  Wontus  gave 
full  sway  to  his  feelings,  and  was  heard  to  remark,  as  the  cars 
sped  along,  that  "  it  was  worth  living  for."  Now,  exactly 
what  Mr.  Wontus  considered  as  worth  living  for  will  perhaps 
never  be  positively  known ;  but  he  looked  so  perfectly  con- 
tented that  any  one  possessed  with  a  fair  share  of  the  milk  of 
human  kindness  would  have  considered  it  cruel  to  disturb  him. 

A  halt.  Passengers  got  out  and  in  ;  among  the  latter  a 
rather  corpulent  lady,  with  a  very  red  face,  and  numerous 
boxes  and  baskets  ;  who,  after  taking  a  survey  of  the  diflferent 
faces,  ventured  to  sit  down  by  the  side  of  3Ir.  Wontus.  To 
that   gentleman's  credit   be  it  said,  he  was  very  gallant  to 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  37 

the  ladies  on  most  occasions,  and  on  this  one  he  not  only 
screwed  himself  up  into  the  smallest  possible  proportions,  but 
he  absolutely — whether  through  necessity  or  not  I  am  unable 
to  say — took  one  of  the  baskets  on  his  knees. 

"  Mr.  Nidd  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  leaning  back  and  talking 
over  his  shoulder  to  that  gentleman,  who  had  taken  a  seat 
behind  him,  "  it's  a  long  while  since  I  passed  over  this  road 
before.  Why,  it  was  long  before  I  quit  business ;  and  now 
everything  seems  strange  to  me.  What  place  was  that  we  just 
passed  through  ?  I  think  the  conductor  called  it  Baldeytow^n ; 
but  those  fellows  speak  so  indistinctly  that  it  is  impossible  to 
understand  what  they  do  say." 

"  Bordintown,  sir  !"  shouted  the  corpulent  lady  by  his  side, 
in  tones  loud  and  shrill  enough  to  draw  the  attention  of  all 
the  passengers  in  the  coach. 

"  Yes,  ma'am  ;  thank  you  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus  ;  and  then 
turning  to  Nidd,  he  added,  in  a  low  tone : 

"  In  the  name  of  all  that  is  good,  don't  ask  any  questions. 
What  place  did  she  say  it  was  ?  I  was  so  taken  aback  that  I 
could  not  understand." 

Mr.  Nidd  gave  him  the  desired  information ;  but  whether 
the  corpulent  lady  had  taken  offense  at  what  Mr.  Wontus  had 
said,  or  whether  she  had  misunderstood  what  he  said,  will 
probably  never  be  known  ;  but  no  sooner  had  Wontus  turned 
his  attention  to  surrounding  objects  again  than  the  lady  com- 
menced acting  as  though  her  seat  had  suddenly  become  un- 
comfortable.    Mr.  Wontus  compressed  himself  still  smaller. 

"  Mister !"  cried  the  lady,  emphasizing  the  noun,  "  p'raps 
my  company  ain't  agreeable  ? " 

"  Nothing  of  the  kind,  madam,  I  assure  you,"  cried  Mr. 
Wontus,  smiling  blandly. 

"Give  me  that!"  shouted  the  lady.  And,  snatching  the 
basket  which  he  had  so  kindly  been  holding  on  his  knees  for 
the  past  two  hours,  wanted  to  know  if  Mr.  Wontus  "  hadn't 
come  out  to  put  on  airs  with  poor  folks." 

"  Madam,"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  beseechingly,  "  I  assure  you 
that  nothing  was  said  by  my  friend  or  myself  to  offend  the 
most  delicate  ears.     I  would  rather " 

"  '  Madam  !'  Don't  madam  me,  you  old  reprobate  !"  inter- 
rupted the  lady.  "  I'm  no  ma-dam^  sir.  You've  made  a 
mistake,  sir.    I've  seen  your  kind  of  folks  before.    Folks  may 

4 


38  wo  XT  us,  OR 

talk  about  the  'moralizin'  eifects  of  the  war,  and  you  look  like 
one  of  them  ;  and  you're  the  first  man  I've  seen — juan  !  did 
I  say?  No,  sir,  you're  no  man,  or  you  would  never  think  of 
insultin'  a   lone  woman  who  was  tryin'   to  do  you  a  favor. 

You,  you "     The  lady  could  stand  it  no  longer  ;  her  face 

had  become  redder  and  redder  as  she  progressed,  and  now  the 
veins  in  her  forehead  threatened  to  burst.  Drawing  her  hand- 
kerchief from  her  pocket,  she  buried  her  face  in  it. 

Mr.  Wontus,  during  the  delivery  of  this  tirade,  had  sat  per- 
fectly immovable,  and  was  the  observed  of  all  observers.  lie 
looked  over  his  shoulder  at  Mr.  Nidd,  but  that  gentleman  was 
absorbed  in  his  newspaper ;  his  assistants  were  asleep ;  there 
was  no  sympathy  anywhere.  He  looked  out  of  the  window, 
and  then  quickly  turning,  as  though  a  sudden  thought  had 
occurred  to  him,  he  stood  up  in  his  seat,  thrusting  one  foot 
out  toward  the  aisle,  was  about  stepping  past  his  companion, 
whose  face  was  still  buried  in  the  folds  of  the  handkerchief, 
when  a  sudden  jolt  of  the  car  unsettled  his  equilibrium,  and 
down  went  the  extended  foot  into  one  of  the  boxes  of  the 
lady,  and  3Ir.  Wontus  seated  himself  rather  unceremoniously, 
and  with  a  sudden  jerk,  in  her  lap.  Consternation  is  not  the 
word  to  depict  the  scene  that  followed.  It  was  at  once  aw- 
fully and  woefully  exciting.  The  coqiulent  lady  screamed 
murder,  and  Mr.  Wontus  made  frantic  efforts  to  release  him- 
self from  the  unpleasant  and  rather  ridiculous  situation,  but 
,  the  room  between  Mr.  Wontus's  knees  and  the  seat  before 
him,  and  the  almost  interminable  mass  of  boxes  and  baskets 
at  his  feet,  acted  as  an  effectual  stopper  to  his  best  intentions. 
He  struggled  ;  the  lady  struggled  and  shouted  ;  the  passengers 
assembled  about  them.  Mr.  Nidd  stood  up  in  his  seat  and 
shook  his  head  dolefully, 

"  Go  it,  old  boss  !"  shouted  one  passenger. 

"  You're  doing  right  well  for  a  man  of  your  age,"  laughed 
another. 

"  Why,  the  lady  seems  to  like  it,"  said  another. 

"Mr.  Nidd,"  said  Wontus,  ceasing  his  efforts  for  a  moment, 
and  looking  at  that  gentleman  with  mingled  rage  and  suppli- 
cation, '-will  you  help  me  out  of  this,  sir?" 

"  I'll  help  you  out !"  shouted  the  lady,  and  instantly  there 
fell  upon  Mr.  Wontus's  devoted  head  such  a  shower  of  blo-ws 
as  to  induce  him  to  redouble  his  efforts,  and  finally  to  throw 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATIOy.  39 

himself,  pantino;  and  sore,' into  a  vacant  seat  on  the  other  side 
of  the  car  How  much  further  progress  this  scene  might 
have  made  cannot  be  said,  for  the  train  had  arrived  at  Camden, 
and  everybody,  inehiding  the  corpulent  lady,  who  kept  up  a 
constant  scream  of  invectives  addressed  to  all  brutish  beasts, 
but  Mr  Wontus  in  particular,  busied  themselves  in  collecting 
their  bagoacre  and  leaving  the  ciirs.  At  last  Mr.  Wontus  and 
party  were  all  that  was  left.  Mr.  Nidd  stood  in  the  aisle  look- 
ino-  at  Mr  Wontus,  while  Thomson  and  Wilkins  sat  upright, 
rubbino-  their  eyes.  As  for  Mr.  Wontus,  his  spirit  seemed  to 
be  crushed,  and  he  sat,  with  his  hand  to  his  head,  gazing  list- 
lessly out  of  the  window;  he  was  wrapped  in  deep  meditation. 
"  All  aboard !"  shouted  the  conductor  as  the  ferry-boat  bell 
tapped  for  the  last  time. 

"Come,  boys,"  cried  Mr.  Nidd,  "assist  your  master  from 
the  cars."  The  boys  did  as  they  were  bid,  and  Mr.  \\  ontus 
suffered  himself  to  be  led  to  the  boat  without  a  word.  His 
fellow-passengers  indulged  in  some  facetious  remarks  as  he 
passed  but  he  was  immovable,  and  sat  looking  at  one  object, 
like  the  enchanted  people  whom  I  recollect  to  have  read  about 

when  a  boy.  ^  n  i   •  i    i 

The  Quaker  City,  with  its  row  after  row  of  brick  houses, 
ri'^ino-  one  above  the  other  like  steps,  was  reached,  and  it  now 
became  IMr.  Wilkins's  duty  to  secure  quarters  for  the  party, 
for  Mr.  Wontus  declared  that  he  would  go  no  firther  just 
now,— perhaps  never,— and  he  begged  of  Mr.  Nidd  never  to 
mention  to  any  living  person  the  scene  that  had  taken  place 
in  the  cars.  .         . 

With  the  party  temporarily  quartered  on  the  river,  in  a 
quarter  of  the  town  not  calculated  to  impress  any  one  with 
the  beauty  or  cleanliness  of  the  place,  3Ir.  Wilkins  drew  an 
advance  on  his  month's  salary  and  started  out  in  search  of 
other  lodgings,  as  it  had  been  finally  decided  that  the  party 
should  reraam  for  a  time  in  Philadelphia. 

That  Mr.  Wilkins  should  feel  himself  perfectly  at  home  in 
Philadelphia  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  when  we  remember, 
first,  that  he  is  a  man  of  the  world,  and  second,  that  his 
varied  experiences  have  given  him  such  a  familiarity  with 
men  and  things  as  to  make  him  perfectly  at  home  anywhere. 
So  without  deionino-  to  ask  his  way,  he  jammed  his  hands  into 
his  pockets  and  walked  up  Walnut  Street  to  the  Exchange. 


40  WOXTUS,  OR 

Here,  as  was  more  common  then  than  now,  all  was  bustle  and 
excitement,  and,  after  refreshing  himself  with  numerous  pota- 
tions of  the  great  naticrual  drink — whisky — he  sauntered  out 
among  the  car-drivers  and  otl>er  gentry,  such  as  generally  con- 
gregate about  that  locality.  His  happiness  was  entirely  too 
great  for  him  to  enjoy  alone ;  but,  after  two  or  three  fruitless 
attempts  to  cultivate  acquaintances,  he  secured  the  company 
of  a  gentleman  of  fine  military  bearing,  who  introduced  him- 
self over  a  glass,  as  Major  Flick,  of  Indiana,  at  present  on 
duty  in  Philadelphia,  as  a  special  officer  of  the  government 
on  secret  service.  Mr.  Wilkins  was  delighted  to  make  such 
a  distinguished  acquai-ntaiK-e, — wouldn't  the  major  be  per- 
suaded to  take  just  one  more.  The  major  was  persuaded ; 
and  then  Mr.  Wilkins  confidentially  informed  him  that  he, 
too,  was  on  secret  service,  but  in  the  employ  of  a  private  party, 
and  with  many  mj^sterious  winks  and  nods  proceeded  to  add 
that  he  was  now  out  in  search  of  lodgings  for  himself  and 
party.  With  many  more  winks  and  nods  from  the  major,  that 
individual  said  that  he  understood,  and  would  be  delighted  to 
be  of  service  to  his  friend. 

"  You're  not  acquainted  in  the  city  ?"  queried  the  major. 

"  Oh,  yes,"  cried  Mr.  Wilkins  ;  and  then,  pausing  a  moment, 
he  added  :  "  That  is,  I  was  here  some  years  ago  ;  but  I  sup- 
pose things  have  changed  very  much  since  then,  major?*' 

"  Considerably  !      Will  you  have  a  cigar,  Mr. —  Mr.  . 

What  is  your  name  ?     Indeed,  I've  forgotten." 

"  Wilkins,  sir, — Benjamin  Wilkins,  formerly  of  Jersey,  but 
now — now,  major,  a  man  of  the  world." 

"  I'm  glad  I've  met  you,  Mr.  Wilkins.  Ill  call  you  Ben, 
if  you  have  no  objections. 

"No  objections  in  the  least,  major;  I'm  a  common  man 
like  yourself.     Allow  ???e  to  pay  for  them  cigars." 

The  major  allowed  him. 

"  So  your  party  is  at  Hodgood's  temporarily,  eh  ?  Well, 
never  mind,  there  will  be  plenty  of  time  an  hour  hence  for 
you  to  look  for  new  quarters  for  them.  Have  you  ever  seen 
the  noble  old  State  House,  where  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence was  framed  and  proclaimed,  and  where  Jefferson 
and  his  compeers  fought  the  battle  that  has  made  us  the  gTeat 
nation  that  we  are?  What  a  pity  it  is,"  cried  the  major, 
after  a  brief  pause,  "  that  we — I  mean  the  whole  country — 


THE  CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  41 

haven't  got  tlic  same  kind  of  material  in  the  councils  of  our 
nation  !  They — they  were  Southern  men,  Mr.  Wilkins, — 
Ben,  I  mean, — but  to-day,  alas !  they  arc  no  more.  I'm  a 
Southron  myself,  sir;  would  you  believe  it?" 

"  Certainly,  major,  certainly.  I  took  your  measure  the  mo- 
ment I  clapped  my  eyes  on  you.     What's  your  tonnage?" 

"  Come,"  said  the  major,  rising,  without  appearing  to  hear 
Mr.  Wilkins's  query,  "  we  will  take  a  walk  up,  and  have  a 
squint  at  the  State  House." 

"Certainly!"  cried  Mr.  "Wilkins,  and  arm-in-arm  they 
started  off  together. 

"  'E's  a  rum  chap  that,"  said  a  burly  Englishman  to  a  com- 
panion, as  the  gentlemen  passed  out  of  the  door ;  "  but  the 
major'U  fix  'im,  I'll  warrant.     'E's  a  coon,  is  the  major !" 

Turning  up  Third  Street,  and  passing  the  newspaper  offices, 
which  were  besieged  with  anxious  crowds,  waiting  to  hear  the 
latest  news  from  the  front,  and  turning  up  Chestnut  Street, 
Mr.  Wilkins  found  numerous  things  to  admire  and  excite  his 
curiosity,  and  in  course  of  conversation  remarked  to  the  major 
that  it  wasn't  so  much  of  a  village  after  all. 

In  due  time  the  precincts  of  the  State  House  were  reached, 
and  as  the  major  discoursed  learnedly  on  the  ancient  appear- 
ance of  the  structure,  and  the  many  deeds  of  glory  it  had 
witnessed,  Mr.  Wilkins  was  filled  with  so  much  pleasure  that 
nothing  would  satisfy  him  but  a  little  more — one  more — in- 
dulgence ;  and  the  major  consented. 

[It  should  ifot  be  understood  that  Mr.  Wilkins  had  missed 
the  opportunity  of  an  acquaintance  with  the  major  to  venti- 
late some  of  his  own  little  peculiarities  in  the  wonderful  line, 
for  he  did  ventilate  them  whenever  opportunity  offered  ;  but 
as  he  frequently  appears  in  the  course  of  this  narrative,  we 
have  thought  proper  to  merely  trace  him  in  liis  travels  in 
search  of  lodgings.] 

Major  Flick  was  one  of  that  sort  of  men  that  all  cities  are 
possessed  of.  No  one  knew  from  whence  he  came  or  how  he 
lived.  He  had  grown  to  be  an  institution  in  certain  localities, 
and  was  as  regular  in  his  habit  of  appearing  at  certain  places, 
at  certain  times,  as  the  most  attentive  merchant.  Early  in 
the  morning  the  vicinity  of  Dock  and  Water  Streets — a  thriv- 
ing locality  for  certain  questionable  characters  of  both  sexes 
as  well  as  other  people — saw  him  ere  he  brushed  the  cobwebs 

4^- 


42  WOXTUS,  OR 

from  liis  throat.     A  little  later  he  graced  the  pavement  in 
front  of  the  State  House,  where  he  met  the  men  who  govern 
the  city,  and  where  he  hobnobed,  drank,  and  lunched  with  the 
rulers  with  that  ease  and  freedom  which  I  learn  is  an  inherent 
right  in  all  who  assist  in  lubricating  the  cumbrous  machinery 
of  a  city  government.     In  brief,  he  might  be  called  a  politi- 
cian, for   ife  was  whispered  among  his  associates,  and  hence 
reached  the  ears  of  the  patriots  who  were  willing  to  assume 
the  grave  responsibilities  and  toil  of  public  office,  that  he  car- 
ried such  and  such  a  division  in  his  pocket,  and  if  he  had 
carried  a  whole  congressional  district  about  him  he  certainly 
could  not  have  been  more  respected  among  his  associates.  His 
clothes  were  of  last  season's  fashion,  and  were  unduly  polished 
in  some  places,  but  withal  he  was  imposing.     His  complexion 
was  dark,  and  his  regular  features  were  surrounded  by  heavy, 
black  whiskers,  which,  together  with  his  erect  bearing  and 
particular  poise  of  the  head,  gave  him  that  peculiar  air  which 
men  are  apt  to  fancy  only  belongs   to  military  gentlemen. 
That  the  major  had  ever  been  in  the  army  is  questionable, 
but  the  war  had  given  him  the  opportunity  of  making  some- 
thing of  himself  (in  a  manner  not  in  the  general  acceptance 
of  the  term),  and  hence  he  became  major  more  by  virtue  of 
his  military  appearance  than  by  his  prowess.    It  was  a  custom 
of  the  times  for  all  men,  of  a  i)eculiar  class,  to  make  the  most 
of  whatever  fell  in  their  way,  and  the  major  was  with  them 
heart  and  soul.     I  may  be  excused  for  mentioning  here  that 
fortunately  these  men  were  in  a  striking  minority,  so  far  as 
numbers  were   concerned ;  had    it    been    otherwise,  the  flag 
which  they  hurrahed  so  lustily  for,  when  all  was  bright,  might 
have  been  dragged  and  trampled  in  the  dust  without  their 
stirring  a  foot  to  prevent  it.     But  they  were  powerful  then, 
and  will  continue  to  be  powerful  just  so  long  as  the  respecta- 
ble and  retiring  tax-payers  of  the  land  choose  to  allow  them 
to  be, — and  that  may  be  forever.     But  I  digress. 

The  Hall  of  Independence,  with  its  ancient  pictures,  or  pic- 
tures of  ancient  men,  was  gone  through  ;  the  old  bell  with  its 
prophetic  inscription  was  gazed  at ;  and  the  chair  and  the  pew 
used  by  the  immortal  Washington,  were  all  displayed  to  the 
enraptured  vision  of  3Ir.  Wilkins,  and  duly  expatiated  on  by 
the  major.  But  the  crowning  feature  of  the  day  was  yet  to 
come:  the  steeple  was  to  be  visited;  and  armed  with  due 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  43 

authority, — it  is  passing  strange  that  any  man  can  secure  a 
ticket  to  visit  the  steeple  by  asking  for  it,  and  yet  cannot  visit 
the  steeple  without  it ! — the  party  passed  up  the  winding, 
dirty,  rickety  stairs,  and  were  rewarded  for  their  trouble,  when 
at  the  top,  by  a  fine  view  of  the  city.  Stretching  far  away 
beyond  the  power  of  sight,  with  the  naked  eye,  to  the  north, 
west,  and  south,  lies  the  city,  with  its  regular  streets,  smoking 
chimneys,  and  toy-like  houses ;  while  on  the  east  and  south- 
west run  the  rivers,  glittering  like  silver  threads  in  the  sun- 
light. "Not  so  much  village,"  muttered  Mr.  Wilkins,  after 
contemplating  the  picture  for  a  time  in  silence. 

"  Not  so  much,"  replied  the  major ;  and  the  gentlemen  re- 
turned to  terra  Jirma,  to  again  meet  hosts  of  the  major's 
friends,  and  indulge  in  many  toasts  to  their  friends  and  ton- 
fusion  to  their  enemies.  Darkness  at  length  found  Mr. 
Wilkins,  somewhat  under  the  influence  of  liquor  and  still 
searching  for  lodgings,  wending  his  way  down  Dock  Street, 
with  his  hand  resting  on  the  arm  of  his  friend,  and  indulging 
in  the  relation  of  sundry  little  episodes,  which  made  both 
gentlemen  laugh  most  uproariously.  Down  Dock,  until  that 
street  became^  a  part  of  Spruce  Street,  the  worthies  wended 
their  way  ;  thence  into  Water  Street,  and  thence  into  one  of 
the  numerous  lodging-houses,  where  the  sign  "Boarding, 
Wine,  and  Liquors,"  gives  the  weary  traveler  to  understand 
that  he  can  be  at  once  lodged,  fed,  and  refreshed.  Into  these 
establishments,  kept  genemlly  by  men  of  low  character,  the 
general  drift  of  the  river  and  the  town  found  its  way.  They 
always  remind  me  of  the  eddies  in  the  river  formed  by  a  jut- 
ing  of  land,  or  other  obstacle,  wherein  all  the  scum  and  filth 
which  floats  on  the  surface  of  the  water  is  caught,  twirled 
round  and  round  as  if  on  inspection,  and  then  allowed  to 
float  on,  soon  to  be  followed  by  more  and  more  until  the  end 
of  time. 

The  room  into  which  the  major  ushered  his  friend  Mr. 
Wilkins  was  cramped.  The  ceiling  was  low,  and  the  atmos- 
phere was  thick  with  the  fumes  of  liquor  and  tobacco  smoke. 
A  hio-h  counter  traversed  the  back  part  of  the  room,  behind 
which  were  arrayed  bottles,  glasses,  lemons,  and  such  otlier 
paraphernalia  common  to  all  bar-rooms,  not  to  forget  the  pic- 
ture of  Noah's  Ark,  with  the  animals  and  birds  just  in  the 
act  of  entering  it,  flanked  by  the  time-honored  portraits  of 


44  WOXTUS,  OR 

Washington  and  Paul  Jones.  A  motley  assemblaire  of  per- 
haps a  dozen  tilled  the  room.  Here  sat  the  half-drunken 
sailor,  with  unkempt  hair  and  disfigured  countenance,  flanked 
on  either  side  by  the  stool-pigeons  of  the  landlord,  whose 
business  is  to  see  that  Jack  judiciously  spends  all  his  money 
in  a  proper  manner — which  is  highly  improper  in  a  moral 
sense — in  the  shortest  possible  time,  that  he  may  be  reshii)ped, 
and  his  "advance"  consumed  by  the  loving  landlord  before 
he  shall  have  had  the  chance  of  becoming  food  for  other 
sharks,  or  been  maimed  for  life  by  the  master  of  the  ship 
with  whom  he  sails, — all  of  which  has  since  been  altered  by  a 
wholesome  law.  The  longshore-man,  with  cadaverous  eyes  and 
ruddy  complexion,  sits  opposite,  rising  only  from  his  chair  at 
regular  intervals  to  quaft'  the  villainous  mixture  set  before  him, 
and  for  which  be  pays  with  the  proceeds  of  sundry  ropes  and 
bits  of  ironmongery  which  a  vessel  had  lost  the  night  before, 
and  which  found  its  way  to  the  junk-shop  ere  the  sun  was  au 
hour  high. 

Woman  lends  her  soothing  influence  and  presence,  and  the 
haggard  faces,  sunkeai  eyes,  and  colorless  lips  speak  of  a  life 
of  debauchery  and  crime. 

The  landlord,  an  Englishman  of  rotund  form,  dark  com- 
plexion, close-crjDpped  hair,  and  lustreless,  fishy  eyes,  stands 
leaning  on  the  bar,  and  watches  with  the  keenest  interest  the 
proceedings  of  the  assemblage  before  him,  lest  at  some  unpro- 
pitious  moment  there  shall  be  a  moiety  of  the  hard-earned  cash 
of  his  customers  that  will  slip  into  other  hands  than  his.  All, 
all  is  his ! 

x\.s  the  major  and  his  friend  stepped  into  the  room,  and  the 
landlord  caught  sight  of  the  rather  genteel-looking  Mr.  Wilkins, 
his  fishy  eyes  brightened  and  his  lips  parted. 

"  (rood-even',  major  ;  I'm  glad  to  set  e3'es  on  you.  Ah  ! — 
a  friend?" 

"Good-evening,  Tommy,  my  boy!"  returned  the  major, 
grasping  the  fat,  purple  hand  of  the  landlord,  and  shaking  it 
vigorously.     "  My  friend,  Mr.  Wilkins." 

"  I'm  glad  to  see  you,  sir."  And  then  followed  a  hearty  hand- 
shaking between  Mr.  Wilkins  and  the  landlord,  and  sundry 
knowing  winks  between  the  latter  and  the  major,  after  which 
the  landlord  passed  behind  the  counter,  and  with  a  business- 
like flourish  set  out  the  glasses. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OnSEIiVATIOX.  45 

"What  will  it  be,  gents?*' 

The  query  was  lost  on  Mr.  Wilkins,  for  with  his  chin  on 
his  breast  and  that  stupid  gaze  peculiar  to  a  person  in  a  state 
of  semi-intoxication,  that  gentleman  was  taking  a  survey  of 
the  premises  and  the  people,  as  became  a  man  of  the  world. 
The  question  was  repeated,  and  aided  by  a  nudge  from  his  com- 
panion, ]Mr.  Wilkins  at  length  swung  around  and  pronounced 
the  word  "  w — hisky  !" 

"  The  same,"  said  the  major.  "  Perhaps  you'll  join  us  ?" 
this  was  addressed  to  the  landlord. 

"  Hi  never  drink  in  my  own  'ouse,"  replied  that  most  virtu- 
ous gentleman  ;  and  then  added,  in  a  w^hisper,  intended  only  for 
the  major's  ear,  "  Fresh  fish  ?" 

"  Secret  service,"  whispered  the  major;  and  seeing  that  Mr. 
Wilkins  was  again  interested  in  the  company,  he  added  :  "  Full 
of  cash  ?" 

"  No  tricks,  major ;  it  won't  do  'ere,  you  know." 

Mr.  Wilkins  drew  a  chair  to  the  side  of  one  of  the  ladies  and 
entered  into  a  vivid  description  of  his  experience  as  a  man  of 
the  world  and  the  responsibilities  of  his  present  mysterious 
duty. 

"  What's  'is  lay?"  asked  the  host. 

"Sh ,"  whispered  the  major;  "that's  what  I  want  to 

find  out."  And  then  a  conversation  ensued  betw^een  the  major 
and  the  landlord,  which  plainly  indicated  that  the  English  gen- 
tleman was  interested  in  the  recruiting  business,  and  that  an 
efi"ort  should  be  made  to  hold  Mr.  Wilkins  over  until  the  next 
morning,  and,  if  satisfactory,  Mr.  Wilkins  should  enlist  in  one 
of  the  many  offices  then  open  for  that  purpose,  and  the  bounty 
due  him  should  be  shared  between  the  agents.  [At  this  time 
the  bounties,  both  national  and  local,  were  small,  and  the  biisi- 
Qiess  of  manufacturing  recruits  had  not  arrived  at  that  condition 
of  perfection  which  followed  at  a  later  day,  although  fairly  un- 
derstood and  practiced  by  a  few  of  the  vampires  who  preyed 
upon  the  unsuspecting  public] 

Mr.  Wilkins,  encouraged  by  the  smiles  and  graces  of  his  fair 
companion,  had  slid  gracefully  from  the  historic  to  the  senti- 
mental ;  his  hand  had  stolen  around  her  waist,  and  his  lips 
were  alarmingly  close  to  her  damask  cheek  ;  w^ords  of  love  and 
fidelity  poured  from  his  lips  like  the  limpid  water  of  a  gushing 
streamlet.     His  fortunes  should  be  hers ;  his  boundless  estates 


46  wo  XT  US,  OR 

in  the  Raratonga  Islands  should  be  hers  if  she  would  fly  with 
him.  She  smiled  and  returned  evasive  answers  to  his  heated 
questions.  He  became  vehement,  and,  at  a  moment  most  un- 
fortunate, threw  his  disengaged  hand  around  her  neck,  and, 
drawing  her  toward  him,  imprinted  a  kiss  upon  her  lips  which 
Sounded  like  the  crack  of  a  whip-h^sh.  At  this  juncture  the 
landlord,  who  had  been  watching  the  scene  with  eyes  glowing 
like  living  coals,  and  whose  bosom  was  evidently  filled  with  a 
deep-seated  and  overpowering  jealousy,  advanced  with  hasty 
strides  to  the  side  of  Mr.  Wilkins,  and,  with  one  tremendous 
blow,  felled  that  gentleman  to  the  floor  like  an  ox  struck  by 
the  axe  of  a  butcher. 

"  Murder!"  shouted  the  major,  without  disturbing  his  atti- 
tude at  the  counter.  •'  Murder!"  screamed  the  ladies.  '-Mur- 
der !"  shouted  the  landlord,  throwing  open  the  door  and  giving 
]Mr.  WilkiiLs's  prostrate  form  a  sounding  kick  as  he  did  so. 
'•  Fight !  fight !"  shouted  the  rabble  in  the  street,  and  every- 
body seemed  highly  amused  at  the  prospect.  "What  int^Jit  have 
occurred  is  simply  a  matter  of  conjecture,  for  three  vigilant 
guardians  of  the  public  peace  soon  made  their  appearance  on 
the  scene,  and.  after  the  landlord  had  explained  how  Mr.  Wil- 
kins  had  ferociously  tried  to  murder  one  of  the  beautiful  young 
ladies,  which  assertion  was  backed  up  by  a  chorus  of  voices, 
including  Major  Flick's,  and  how  he  had  only  been  prevented 
from  fulfilling  his  blood-thirsty  intentions  by  the  timely  inter- 
ference of  the  landlord,  the  prostrate  and  senseless  form  of  ]Mr. 
Wilkins  was  dragged  from  the  house  and  thence  to  the  police 
station,  where  it  was  thrust  into  a  cell,  to  await  the  charge 
which  would  be  sworn  to  before  the  police  magistrate  by  the 
landlord  at  the  hearing  in  the  morning. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  47 


CHAPTER    IV. 

DETAILS  now  AN  AMBITIOUS  MAN  MAY  PERMIT  niS  AMBI- 
TION TO  LEAD  IIIM  INTO  GREAT  AND  UNLOOKICD-FOR 
DIFFICULTIES. 

Mr.  Wontus  had  recovered  his  accustomed  good  spirits, 
and  after  being  tired  with  inspecting  the  shipping  on  the  river, 
suggested  that  he  and  Nidd  should  proceed  to  see  some  of  the 
sights  of  the  city.  Mr.  Nidd  being  in  an  agreeable  mood, 
accepted  the  suggestion,  and  after  dinner — they  dined  at  one 
o'clock — the  gentlemen  set  out,  leaving  Thomas  Thomson  to 
await  the  arrival  of  jNlr.  Wilkins.  But  it  is  not  my  intention 
to  follow  our  hero,  but  to  devote  a  few  pages  to  no  greater 
person  than  Thom  is  Thomson. 

The  refreshing  sleep  which  Tommy  had  enjoyed  in  the  cars, 
together  with  the  newness  of  his  situation,  naturally  created 
in  his  rather  inquiring  disposition  a  desire  to  see  more  than 
could  be  found  in  the  limits  of  a  hotel  sitting-room,  and  Mr. 
Wontus' s  coat-tail  had  scarcely  vanished  from  the  doorway 
when  Mr.  Thomson  stretched  himself  and  walked  to  the  win- 
dow. Here  he  gazed  for  a  long  time  at  the  wagons,  drays,  and 
crowds  of  busy  people  who  kept  passing  him  ;  presently  he 
buttoned  his  coat  and  crammed  his  hands  to  the  very  bottom 
of  his  pantaloons  pockets.  Evidently  there  was  something  on 
his  mind.  He  drew  his  hands  from  his  pockets  and  raised  the 
window  and  looked  up  and  down  the  street ;  he  drew  his  head 
in  and  shut  the  window  down  ;  then  he  balanced  himself,  first 
on  one  foot,  then  on  the  other.  This  he  repeated  many  times, 
and  then  finally  spreading  his  legs  out  so  that  they  formed  the 
letter  V  inverted,  he  again  thrust  his  hands  into  his  pockets 
and  stood  gazing  into  the  street. 

"Harm?"  said  he,  speaking  to  himself,  "of  course  there 
ain't  no  harm  in  it.  Why,  I  won't  stay  two  minutes."  And  he 
collected  his  feet  together  and  walked  out  to  the  sidewalk. 
Here  he  stood  for  some  time  as  if  in  doubt.  He  gazed  up  and 
down,  when  suddenly  something  down  the  street  attracted  his 


48  WOXTCS,  OR 

attention  and  he  followed  his  desires,  and  did  not  cease  walk- 
ing until  he  had  reached  the  oyster  dock,  a  square  from  the 
hotel. 

Be  it  remembered  that  Thomas  Thomson  was  a  most  loving 
and  faithful  subject,  although  his  mind  was  a  little  clouded  at 
times,  and  that  in  all  his  term  of  years  in  the  sen'ice  of  Mr. 
Wontus  he  had  been  most  obedient,  honest,  and  faithful.  To 
be  sure,  Mr.  Wontus's  wants  were  not  so  extravagant  or  so 
fashionable  but  that  a  plain,  unlettered  man  like  Thomas 
Thomson  suited  him,  and  for  his  fidelity  Mr.  Wontus  had  at 
different  times  rewarded  him,  besides  giving  him  very  fair 
wages.  Mr.  Thomson  was,  to  the  best  of  his  own  knowledge 
and  belief,  an  orphan ;  and  as  his  wants  were  few  and  easily 
satisfied,  he  had  managed  to  stow  away  his  money  from  time 
to  time,  until  now  he  considered  himself  a  man  of  almost 
boundless  wealth,  and  a  part  of  this  wealth,  consisting  of  some 
two  hundred  dollars,  he  had  brought  with  him,  more  for  Mr. 
Wontus's  use  than  for  his  own,  for  he  frequently  said  to  him- 
self, "  Maybe  he'll  get  out  some  time,  and  then  Til  make  him 
open  his  eyes  by  offerin'  to  lend  him  some."  That  he  might 
not  appear  poor  when  in  company,  he  generally  carried  some 
money  about  him,  and  at  the  time  of  his  wandering  along  the 
oyster  docks  he  had  in  his  pockets  four  five-dollar  notes,  a  two- 
dollar  note,  and  some  small  change,  amounting  in  all  to  about 
twenty-three  dollars. 

The  scene  was  new  to  him,  and  he  watched  the  oyster  deal- 
ers and  the  people  who  came  to  buy  with  great  interest.  He 
looked  at  the  shallops,  as  they  rolled  and  dipped  with  each  suc- 
cessive wave  ;  and,  as  he  had  never  been  on  a  boat  of  this  kind 
in  his  life,  he  stepped  aboard  of  one  of  them,  and  permitted 
himself  to  enjoy  the  easy,  swaying  motion.  Crowds  of  men 
were  passing  from  vessel  to  vessel,  engaged  in  showing  their 
oysters  to  customers,  and  when  tired  of  holding  part  of  the  rig- 
ging to  keep  himself  from  falling  into  the  water,  Mr.  Thomson 
fell  into  a  passing  bevy  of  gentlemen,  who  appeared  to  be  in  a 
high  good  humor,  and  followed  them  to  the  wharf.  Once 
ashore,  he  became  more  confident  than  he  had  been  while  on 
the  vessel,  and  without  knowing,  or,  in  fact,  caring,  he  followed 
the  gentlemen  into  a  neighboring  saloon,  and  while  there  en- 
gaged in  inspecting  the  pictures  on  the  walls,  he  was  invited 
and  pressed  to  take  something.     It  was  a  new  thing  for  Mr. 


THE   CORPS   OF  OBSERVATION.  49 

Thomson  to  be  asked  to  imbibe  by  a  stranger,  and  he  felt  highly 
elated  and  complimented.  He  felt  as  though  something  was 
expected  of  him,  and  placing  his  hat,  which  was  new,  on 
the  side  of  his  head,  he  thanked  the  gentlemen,  and  drank  his 
liquor  with  as  much  gusto  as  the  best  of  them. 

He  had  long  desired  to  be  one  of  those  free-and-easy  fellows 
wdio  pass  as  gentlemen,  and  it  now  occurred  to  him  that  here 
was  an  opportunity  to  distinguish  himself;  and,  forgetting  for 
the  time  that  such  a  being  as  Mr.  Wontus  ever  lived,  he  cMtered 
into  a  conversation  with  the  man  behind  the  bar  for  a  few  min- 
utes, and  ended  that  conversation  by  insisting  that  all  the  gentle- 
men should  join  him.  The  company  was  of  that  convivial 
character  which  one  often  finds  in  places  where  he  is  least  ex- 
pecting it,  and  the  gentlemen  were  all  watermen,  in  one  way 
or  other,  and  possessed  to  a  considerable  extent  that  sociability 
and,  I  may  add,  capacity  for  which  this  class  is  celebrated 
throughout  the  wide  world.  The  man  behind  the  bar  vouch- 
safed the  information  that  the  gentlemen  had  just  completed 
a  fine  bargain  in  the  sale  of  a  certain  steamboat,  and  were 
jolly  good  fellows.  Mr.  Thomson  was  delightedj  and,  with 
spirits  somewhat  elevated,  he  again  insisted  on  the  gentlemen 
joining  him  in  a  "sociable."  And  they  did,  each  raising  his 
glass  and  drinking  the  good  health  of  iMr.  Thomson. 

"  My  name  is  Birkill,"  said  one  of  the  gentlemen,  stepping 
up  and  extending  his  hand.  "  Excuse  me,  sir,  but  I  didn't 
hear  yours." 

Mr.  Thomson  took  the  extended  hand  in  his.  The  gentle- 
men shook  hands  and  were  acquainted. 

Mr.  Birkill  was  a  man  measuring,  say  about  five  feet  seven  in 
height,  and  would  weigh  in  the  neighborhood  of  a  hundred 
and  fifty  pounds,  certainly  nothing  under.  He  had  a  round 
head,  probably  as  broad  as  it  was  long,  and  his  complexion  was 
inclined  to  be  light,  though  exposure  to  the  weather  had  bronzed 
it.  His  fiice  w^as  as  round  as  his  head,  and  his  features  cor- 
responded with  everything  else  about  him :  they  were  mod- 
erately prominent,  and  were  well  displayed  by  the  close  cropping 
of  his  hair.  His  eyes  were  of  a  grayish  cast,  surface-like,  but 
twinkling,  and  his  manner  was  such  that  a  close  observer  W(juld 
be  apt  to  put  him  down  a  man  of  wonderful  aptitude  in  what- 
ever direction  he  chose  to  throw  his  energy.  In  conversation  he 
was  rather  more  inquiring  than  communicative  j  he  never  made  a 
c  5 


50  wax  res,  on 

flat  denial  of  anything,  yet  there  was  a  doc:ree  of  cynicism  about 
him  that  always  assumed  an  amusincr  pha.se,  whether'in  earnest 
or  in  jest ;  in  a  word,  he  belonued  to  that  class  of  men  who, 
while  they  impress  us  with  their  manners,  invariably  leave 
doubts  in  our  mind  as  to  their  sincerity. 

'•  Jones,"  cried  Mr.  Birkill,  "  an  old  friend."  And  Mr. 
Thomson  was  introduced  to  Mr.  Jones.  "  Smith,  Brown, 
Ciip'n  Iluskins,  Walker,  Magdus,  Lorton,"  continued  Mr. 
Birkill,  introducing  the  different  gentlemen.  "  Lamber, 
IMcMinigan,  Outslager  —  damn  it,  gentlemen,  this  is  Mr. 
Thomson,  introduce  yourselves."  And  the  different  gentle- 
men of  the  party,  to  the  number  of  a  dozen,  stepped  up  and 
shook  hands  with  Thomas  Thomson,  for  they  were  in  a  merry 
mood,  and  would  have  shaken  hands  with  a  wooden  tobacco 
sign  had  one  been  presented.  The  party  became  thoroughly 
homogeneous  ere  long,  and  the  liquor  was  poured  frequently ; 
they  were  jolly  to  a  man,  and  Mr.  Thomson  was  so  far  in  his 
cups  as  not  to  care,  even  if  he  did  remember  that  .Mr.  Wontua 
would  be  looking  for  him.  To  his  credit  be  it  said,  that  he 
intended  to  return  to  the  hotel,  but  somehow  or  another  every 
time  he  set  about  doing  so  an  invisible  and  irresistible  hand 
took  hold  of  his  coat-tail  and  pulled  him  back. 

I  have  never  known  exactly  how  "  merry  a  marriage-bell " 
was,  but  since  it  has  become  the  stereotyped  phrase  in  all  de- 
scriptions of  gatherings,  I  may  be  excused  for  following  the  ex- 
ample of  other  writers  and  saying  that  everything  went  along 

"As  merry  as  a  marriage-bell."' 

Still  Thomas  Thomson  lingered.  He  was  treated  with  dis- 
tinguished consideration  and  many  of  his  remarks  loudly  ap- 
plauded by  the  company,  led  by  Mr.  Birkill.  He  had  been  a 
witness  to  many  amusing  times  like  the  present,  he  said,  but 
he  never  knew  that  there  was  so  much  real  pleasure  about 
them.  Mr.  Magdus  assured  him  that  this  was  an  excep- 
tionable time, — that  the  company  were  all  perfect  gentlemen, 
and  it  was  probable  that  the  same  thing  would  never  happen 
again.  The  landlord  spread  a  lunch  in  an  adjoining  room,  and 
the  gentlemen  were  invited  in.  As  they  entered  the  door 
Captain  Huskins.  a  man  of  large  size  and  herculean  form,  stood 
in  the  doorway  and  compelled  each  to  take  off  his  hat  and  bow 
to  the  picture  of  Washington.     All  were  seated  at  the  board, 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  51 

the  hats  deposited  on  a  little  table  which  stood  in  the  corner. 
They  ate,  drank,  and  sang  patriotic  songs,  and  Mr.  Thomson 
became  easier  in  his  manner  as  the  affair  progressed.  He 
already  felt  that  he  was  a  gentleman. 

''  Tum-diddle  tnm,  diddlc-dum-dum-dum  !"  shouted  Mr. 
Birkill,  arising  from  his  chair,  seizing  a  hat,  and  marching 
around  the  room  in  military  style.  "  Trat-de-tat-de-tat-tat- 
ta  !"  shouted  Mr.  Smith,  following  suit,  and  marching  into  the 
bar-room.  Captain  Huskins  now  arose,  and  taking  his  well- 
worn  hat  from  the  pile  on  the  table,  cut  the  rim  so  as  to  leave 
a  visor  in  front.  "  That's  the  style !"  shouted  the  captain, 
and  striking  his  rather  well-developed  stomach  vigorous  blows 
in  imitation  of  the  artist  who  performs  on  that  most  melodious 
instrument,  the  bass  drum,  he  became  a  member  of  the  mili- 
tary corps  of  Mr.  Birkill. 

The  captain's  hat  excited  a  new  interest ;  it  had  a  unique, 
semi-military  appearance,  and  was  just  the  style  for  the  oc- 
casion. Brooms  and  sticks  were  added,  and  soon  the  entire 
company  was  adorned  with  hats  like  the  captain's.  There 
was  no  respect  paid  to  right  or  justice  in  the  selection  of  the 
hats,  but  each  gentleman  seized  the  first  one  that  came  to  hand ; 
new  and  old,  large  and  small,  found  customers,  and  not  with 
any  regard  to  the  "  eternal  fitness  of  things"  either.  Thus 
Mr.  Birkill,  whose  head  was  round,  wore  a  hat  that  was  long 
and  narrow,  while  Mr.  McMinigan,  whose  head  was  very  small, 
wore  a  hat  intended  for  a  man  wdth  a  very  large  head. 
Thomas  Thomson  was  not  so  drunk  but  that  he  thought  of 
his  new  tile,  but  it  was  bereft  of  its  rim  and  perched  on  Mr. 
Jones's  head.  There  was  a  hat  left,  and  Thomson,  believing 
that  it  was  his  bounden  duty,  took  it  and  joined  the  procession, 
most  of  which  was  composed  of  musicians,  and  everybody  in  a 
high  good  humor.  But  it  was  suddenly  discovered  that  there 
wasn't  room  enough  in  the  house,  and  wdth  draw^n  sword. 
Captain  Huskins  formed  the  troops  into  line  and  addressed 
them: 

"  This  here  time,"  said  the  captain,  "  is  beared  down  with 
monstrous  interests,  which  must  and  shall  be  kept  up.  [Cheers.  J 
Me  noble  warriors,  your  looks  speak  your  determination  [loud 
applause]  to  follow  me  [cries  of  "We'll  elect  you  !"  and  ap- 
plause] and  never  desert  your — your  liquor.  [Sensation.]  You 
are  here — I  see  it  in  your  eyes — straighten  up  there,  Smith — • 


52  WOXTUS,  OR 

and  I  tell  you — I  tell  you — yes,  gentlemen  [applause],  I  tell 
you " 

The  captain  was  evidently  in  want  of  words. 

"  Let  the  band  play !"  cried  Birkill,  relieving  the  captain, 
and  instantly  the  trat-de-tat,  tum-diddle-de-dum,  and  other 
sounds,  intended  for  imitations  of  various  musical  instruments, 
sounded  from  all  the  voices,  and  most  effectually  put  a  stop  to 
further  remarks  from  the  captain. 

''  Right  face  !"  commanded  the  captain,  "  forward — march !" 
and  the  party  stepped  off  in  true  military  style,  with  the  line 
a  little  zigzag. 

'-  Here,  this  here  way,"  cried  the  captain,  as  the  head  of 
the  line  reached  the  bar.  "  Xo  chargin'  till  the  word's  give." 
And  the  line  faced  about  and  marched  down  the  room  again. 
Mr.  Thomson  thought  the  fun  was  grand,  and  he  laughed  im- 
moderately. 

"  To  the  right  flank  there  !"  commanded  the  captain,  whose 
knowledge  of  military  tactics  and  evolutions  was  rather  limited. 
"  Now,  square  around.  Here,  you  Smith,  get  back ;  throw 
your  eyes  to  the  right  and  dress.  A  little  back,  Mr.  Thomson, 
if  you  please.  Now  then,  me  braves,  before  you  lies  the  foe ; 
we  conquer  to-night,  or  to-morrow  Mrs.  Huskins'  a  widow — 
charge  !"  With  a  shout  the  line  rushed  forward  ;  the  bar  was 
stormed  and  capitulated  unconditionally. 

"  Faces  aft !"  cried  the  captain,  as  the  gentlemen  deposited 
their  glasses  after  emptying  them  of  their  contents.  "  Port 
there  a  little,  Birkill, — blarst  your  soldier  lingo,  I  can't  go  it. 
Now  then,  march  ! — this  way.  gentlemen,"  and  the  party  poured 
forth  into  the  street.  Down  the  avenue  the  motley  platoon 
marched.  South  Street  was  reached  ;  "  Larboard  !"  cried  the 
captain,  adding:  "I've  run  a  steamboat  for  twenty  3'eai-s, — 
blarst  me  if  it"  ain't  the  only  talk  that  tells  after  all."  The 
platoon  filed  to  the  left  and  marched  on  board  the  ferry-boat, 
and  without  accident  were  conveyed  to  Gloucester,  where  the 
party  disembarked,  and,  in  battle  array,  marched  through  the 
town,  to  the  great  wonder  of  some  and  amusement  of  others. 

[As  the  readei"s  of  these  pages  may  be  inclined  to  think 
that  some  portions  of  this  narrative  are  overdrawn,  and  hence 
false,  we  desire  to  add  our  testimony  to  the  truth  of  everything 
herein  contained.  Who  the  historian  of  the  ''  Wontus  Corps 
of  Observation"  was  we  are  unable  to  say ;  but  a  patient  pe- 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  53 

rusal  of  the  MSS.  which  have  passed  into  our  hands  leads  us 
to  the  beUef  that  he  has  endeavored  to  be  as  fair  as  he  is  truth- 
ful, and  that  the  scenes  and  men  which  he  speaks  of — or  men 
and  scenes  like  them — have  come  under  the  observation  of  most 
men  who  dwell  in  cities,  and  who  move  about,  observe,  and 
note  the  incidents  of  the  day. — Pub.] 

"  Halt !"  commanded  Captain  Huskins,  himself  unable  to 
execute  the  command  without  the  assistance  of  a  friehdly  fence- 
post.  "  Luff  there  a  little,  Outslager.  Now,  boys,  here's  the 
enemy."  And  as  he  spoke,  he  pointed  with  his  sword  to  a 
neighborino-  house,  which  had  painted,  in  red,  white,  and  blue 
letters,  on  the  window, 

TiiE^'^Ea'-^trAvEIj^  rEs/ 

"  And  now,  gents,  do  your  duty." 

The  captain  evidently  did  not  lack  the  courage  to  lead  his 
men,  for  he  made  divers  efforts  to  start,  but  the  fence-post 
clung  to  him  so  tenaciously  that  he  was  finally  compelled  to 
throw  himself  at  full  length  on  the  ground.  The  captain  down, 
the  military  line  at  once  became  a  mass. 

''  To  the  rescue  !"  shouted  Mr.  Birkill. 

No  attention  was  paid  to  the  order,  until  Mr.  Thomas  Thom- 
son made  his  appearance  in  the  front  rank  and  offered  his 
assistance  in  raising  the  captain. 

"Certainly,  certainly,  Mr,  Thomson, — without  the  'p',  I 
believe,  sir, — I  am  glad  you're  come  to  the  rescue  of  our  be- 
loved commander.  Lift  him  up  ;  convey  him  to  yonder  friendly 
shelter,  and  you  shall  receive  a  handsome  reward — in  heaven." 

Mr.  Thomson's  will  was  strong,  but  his  joints  were  weak  ;  and 
the  more  he  undertook  to  lift  the  captain  up,  the  more  he  fell 
down  himself  Exhausted,  he  at  length  stretched  himself  by 
the  side  of  his  commander,  and  vowed  he  would  stay  there. 
Such  fidelity  is  rare,  and  the  observing  Birkill,  who  during  the 
time  that  the  private  was  endeavoring  to  raise  his  captain  was 
sobering  the  men  up  by  a  vigorous  course  of  tactics,  noticed 
the  condition  of  affairs,  demanded  the  assistance  of  the  company 
in  conveying  the  wounded  to  the  "  Weary  Traveler's  liest," 
"  You  shall  be  promoted,"  he  whispered  to  Thomas,  as  he  as- 
sisted in  putting  that  personage  on  his  feet. 

"  The  Weary  Traveler's  Rest"  had  been  duly  invested  by  the 
6* 


54  W  ox  TVS,  OB 

party,  who,  after  partaking  of  the  planked  shad,  for  wliich  the 
town  has  been  celebrated,  paid  their  reckoning,  and  wore  pre- 
pared to  vacate  the  place,  when,  upon  vote,  it  was  agreed  that 
thej  should  pay  their  respects  to  the  establishment  of  a  gentle- 
man whose  tent  stood  on  the  street  leading  to  the  ferry,  and 
who  had  on  exhibition  a  fat  woman,  a  thin  man,  an  anaconda, 
a  goat  with  five  legs,  and  sundry  other  curiosities  ;  all  of  which 
could  be  seen  for  the  small  sum  of  ten  cents.  The  resolution 
passed,  the  party  started,  under  the  command  of  3Ir.  Birkill, 
who  took  the  place  of  Captain  Huskins,  by  reason  of  that  gen- 
tleman's declination  to  serve  in  that  capacity,  and  who  exalted 
Mr.Thomson  by  promoting  him  to  sergeant,  and  presenting  him 
with  a  lockless  musket. 

"  Forward — march  !"  cried  the  new  captain.  And,  with  the 
usual  rat-tat-tat,  the  party  moved  off,  Thomas  Thomson  leiiding, 
his  hat  ornamented  with  a  plume,  and  his  musket  by  his  side. 
*'  File  right !"     And  the  showman's  tent  was  reached. 

"  Captain,"  said  Mr.  Birkill,  halting  his  command,  and 
saluting  the  showman  in  true  military  style,  '*'  we  wish  to  enter 
this  show." 

'''Ten  cents  apiece,  gents.  The  greatest  living  curiosities, 
secured  at  an  enormous  expense " 

"  Hold  up  !"  interrupted  Mr.  Birkill,  "  we  want  in  !" 

"  Ten  cents,  gents  !" 

"  Couldn't  you  lump  it  an'  make  it  fifty  for  the  lot  ?  Wery 
interestin'  crowd,  you  see." 

"  Ten  cents,  sir ;  it  ought  to  be  twenty-five.  No  such 
curiosities  to  be  seen  anywhere  else " 

"  Hold  up  !"  cried  Mr.  Birkill,  again  interrupting.  "  Can't 
you  be  persuaded?" 

"No,  sir." 

"  Ain't  there  no  inducements  we  could  offer  except  payin' 
the  price  ?" 

"  No,  sir." 

"  You  won't  lump  it  and  let  us  in  for  half  price,  bein'  it's 
a  crowd  ?" 

"  Can't  do  it,  gents."  And  the  showman  went  on  expatiating 
on  the  beauties  of  his  curiosities. 

"  Face  around  here,  fellers,"  said  Mr.  Birkill.  And  the  line 
spread  itself  out  before  him,  in  all  the  magnitude  it  could 
muster. 


TBE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  55 

"  Eum'ns,  feller-citizens,  and  me  braves,"  said  he,  tragically, 
"  I'm  agoin'  to  address  you.  I'm  your  iMark  Antony ;  but 
it's  not  for  the  likes  of  me  to  excite  your  passions  ;  more  better 
should  I  counsel  peace,  which  I  do."  Hear  me  for  our  siike, 
that  you  who  do  hear  may  come  to  the  right  understandin'^  of 
this  here  grievous  wrong  which  has  been  done  you'ns.  This 
here  man  is  your  Brutus ;  and  he's  an  hon'rable  man,  as  hon'- 
rable  men  goes  in  these  here  times ;  but  I  would  put  to  him 
a  question."  Mr.  Birkill  assumed  a  still  more  tragic  attitude, 
and,  turning  to  the  showman,  said : 

"  Can  these  here  gentlemen,  all  rum'ns,  go  into  this  here 
show,  or  not  ?" 

"  I  have  already  answered  that  question,  sir." 
"  Then  they  can't  go  in  ?" 
"  Not  without  paying  the  admittance  fee." 
Turning  to  his  men,  Mr.  Birkill  continued : 
"  Eum'ns  and  feller-citizens  :  I  want  to  know  if  it's  accordin' 
to  the  dignity  of  an  American  citizen  to  not  go  into  this  here 
show?    [Cries of  " No !  no !"]   Then  foller  me  !"    And  brandish- 
ing his  stick  in  the  air,  he  marched  to  the  entrance,  which  the 
showman  immediately  threw  aside,  and  in  the  most  matter-of- 
fact  way  imaginable,  said : 

"  Walk  in,  gentlemen  !  walk  right  in  !" 
Trat-de-tat,  trat-de-tat,  trat-de-tat,  trat-tat-tat !  and  the  platoon 
marched  in,  with  colors  flying  and  band  playing. 

Once  inside,  Thomas  Thomson  left  the  ranks,  and  diligently 
inspected  the  curiosities.  He  had  the  snakes  stirred  up  by 
the  keeper  of  the  den,  and  he  made  the  thin  man  walk  before 
him  in  review.  He  pinched  the  fat  woman's  arms,  and  won- 
dered if  it  was  real  flesh.  He  conversed  with  her,  and  spoke 
feelingly  of  a  young  lady  whose  image  he  declared  she  resem- 
bled. He  wished  her  joy,  and,  notwithstanding  the  incoher- 
ence of  his  remarks,  would  probably  have  made  love  to  the  lady 
had  it  not  suddenly  occurred  to  him  that  he  was  alone, — that 
his  friends  had  left  him.  He  left  the  fat  lady  quickly  and 
unceremoniously,  and  proceeded  to  the  ferry,  arriving  just  m 
time  to  see  the  boat  containing  his  companions  rounding  out 
of  the  slip.  There  was  nothing  to  do  but  wait  for  the  next  boat, 
so  he  solaced  himself  at  a  ntaghboring  tavern,  and  when  the 
next  boat  left  for  Philadelphia,  it  had  for  a  part  of  its  precious 
frei"ht  a  drunken  man,  and  his  name  was  Thomas  Thomson. 


56  W  ox  TVS,  OR 

From  the  time  that  ^Ir.  Thomson  took  the  boat  at  Glouces- 
ter until  he  awoke  some  time  in  the  nii:ht,  very  thirsty,  in  the 
police  station,  all  was  blank  and  confused,  and  as  he  sat  and 
listened  to  the  drunken  ravings  of  those  around  him,  he  ac- 
cused himself  of  being  a  fool  instead  of  a  gentleman,  and  vowed 
that  he'd  do  so  never  again. 


CHAPTER   V. 


DILATES  OX  THE  BEAUTIES  OF  MODERN  IMPROVEMENTS, 
INTRODUCES  A  NEW  CHARACTER,  AND  RESTORES  TWO 
UNFORTUNATES    TO    THEIR    FRIENDS. 

GrASCON  XiDD  and  Mr.  Wontus  strolled  leisurely  along  the 
river  until  reaching  Market  Street,  then  turned  up  to  Third. 

"  How  very  happy  these  people  should  be !"  said  Mr.  Wontus, 
looking  about  him. 

''  Why  ?''  questioned  Mr.  Nidd. 

"  Look  at  their  delightful  railroads ;  see,  every  street  is 
traversed  with  them.  I  suppose  these  companies  pay  the 
people  very  handsomely  for  the  use  of  their  streets?" 

"  Guess  not." 

"  Guess  not  ?  Why,  Nidd,  certainly  when  citizens  give  up 
their  highways — the  streets  which  they  have  paid  for — to  cor- 
porations, they  ought  to  be  well  paid  for  it." 

"  Mr.  Wontus,"  said  Xidd,  laying  his  hand  on  his  friend's 
shoulder.  "  3'ou  are  a  very  innocent  man." 

Mr.  Wontus  looked  amazed. 

"  Don't  you  know,"  said  Nidd,  continuing,  "  that  all  cities 
are  governed  the  same  as  New  York, — except  not  quite  so  bad, 
— and  that  the  corporations  are  all  politicians,  and  that  politi- 
cians are  all  corporations  ;  they  own  everything." 

Mr.  Wontus  looked  incredulous. 

"  Yes,  sir,  we  have  the  reputation  of  being  a  free  people 
here,  but  I  tell  you  there  is  no  people  in  the  world  so  shame- 
fully treated,  and  more  tyrannized  over  than  we  are.  We 
vote  for  whom  we  please,  but  what  difference  does  that  make  ? 
The  whole  affair  has  been  arranged  beforehand  by  one  party 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  57 

or  the  other,  and  whichever  side  wins,  the  men  who  pay  the 
taxes  are  the  only  ones  to  suffer,  and  so  the  world  has  always 
been,  and  I  presume  ever  will  be." 

Mr.  Nidd  having  delivered  himself  of  this  rather  extraor- 
dinary homily,  took  his  hand  from  Mr.  Wontus's  shoulder, 
and  that  gentleman  said,  "Shameful!"  and  they  continued 
their  walk. 

Soldiers  incipient,  and  soldiers  mature,  were  prevalent 
everywhere,  and  Mr.  Wontus  spoke  of  them  as  noble  fellows, 
and  hoped  they  would  all  live  to  come  back  and  enjoy  the 
fruits  of  their  labor  and  hardship.  Sight-seeing  was  post- 
poned until  a  more  favorable  time,  for  Mr.  Wontus  confessed 
that  his  little  affair  with  the  ruddy-faced,  corpulent  lady  in 
the  cars  had  somewhat  unmanned  him,  and  he  desired  rest. 
It  was  near  tea-time,  however,  when  Mr.  Nidd  walked  into 
the  hotel,  with  Mr.  Wontus  close  behind  him,  and  inquired 
for  Thomas  Thomson. 

"Out?"  said  Mr.  Nidd. 

"  Out  ?"  echoed  Mr.  Wontus.  "  Pray  how  long  has  he  been 
out,  sir?" 

The  clerk  consulted  the  clock  carefully,  as  all  hotel  clerks 
do  under  similar  circumstances.    "  At  least  three  hours." 

"  Zounds  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  in  astonishment,  "  then  our 
baggage  is  gone." 

The  clerk  assured  him  that  it  was  safe  in  the  baggage-room. 
Mr.  Wontus's  face  assumed  a  more  placid  expression. 

"And  Wilkins, — Mr.  Wilkins  ?"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  inquiringly. 

"  Not  returned  yet." 

"  Uh  !"  grunted  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  Hasn't  found  a  satisfactory  place  yet,"  said  Mr.  Nidd, 
turning  to  Mr.  Wontus.  "  Careful  man, — highly  recom- 
mended by " 

"  But  Tommy  !"  interrupted  Mr.  Wontus  ;  "  he'll  be  lost." 

"Streets  very  plain  and  straight,"  suggested  the  clerk, 
smiling  blandly.     "  Will  the  gents  have  tea?" 

"  Of  course,"  said  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  Certainly,"  said  Mr.  Nidd.  And  the  gentlemen  walked 
into  the  di«ing-room,  and  were  discussing  the  probabilities  of 
the  whereabouts  of  Messrs.  Wilkins  and  Thomson. 

"  Are  you  sure  your  man  Wilkins  is  the  right  sort  of  a 
man?"  asked  Mr.  Wontus,  as  he  sipped  his  tea. 
c*     ' 


58  wo  XT  us,  OR 

"  He's  not  my  man,"  cried  Mr.  XiJd,  wiping  his  mouth. 

"  Why,  yes  he  is,"  insisted  Mr.  Wuutus. 

"Certainly  he  isn't!" 

"  You  hired  him." 

"  I  secured  him  for  yow.  He's  the  kind  of  man  you  wanted. 
Tou  recollect  his  story  of  himself?" 

"Yes,  yes,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  reflectively;  "but  you,  Mr. 
Nidd,  ought  to  have  known '' 

"  The  gentleman  waits  outside,"  said  a  servant,  handing 
Mr.  Wontus  a  card. 

Wontus  took  the  card,  and  adjusting  his  glasses,  read : 

"  Edward  Pason  Montcalmb  Higginsox — Scrihendi''' 

Mr.  Wontus  looked  at  the  card  a  long  while  in  silence.  "  I 
don't  know  him, — at  lea.st  I  dont  recollect  him,"  said  he,  and 
he  handed  the  card  to  Mr.  Nidd. 

"Scribendi?"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  thoughtfully.  "Don't  know 
him  !  '  And  handing  the  card  back,  he  went  on  with  his  eating. 

"  Fine  name,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  again  reading  the  card 
thoughtfully.  "  Old  family  I  expect ;  I've  often  heard  of 
these  old  Philadelphia  families, — great  place  for  blood.  My 
compliments  to  the  gentleman,"  said  he,  aloud,  "ask  him  to 
be  kind  enough  to  wait  a  few  moments."  Mr.  Wontus  de- 
posited the  card  in  his  vest-pocket,  and  casting  a  look  about 
him  which  seemed  to  say,  "  I  did  that  very  well,"  he  sipped 
his  tea  in  silence. 

Tea  concluded,  Mr.  Wontus  ran  his  fingers  through  his 
hair,  pulled  down  his  waistcoat,  and  left  the  room  followed  by 
Mr.  Nidd.  On  entering  the  office  an  inquiring  glance  was 
cast  at  the  clerk,  who  in  turn  cast  an  inquiring  glance  at  the 
clock  and  said  :  "  Not  yet,  sir !"  the  supposition  being  that 
Mr.  Wontus  had  inquired  concerning  the  looked-for  arrival 
of  Tommy  and  Mr.  Wilkins. 

Edward  Pason  Montcalmb  Higginson  was  a  gentleman  of 
medium  height,  light  complexion,  and  light  chestnut  hair,  which 
he  brushed  very  slick  over  his  forehead.  His  features  were 
well  cut,  and  his  form  sinewy  and  compact.  He  had  a  gray- 
ish-blue eye,  which  appeared  to  be  perfectly  under  its  owner's 
control  and  which  spoke  defiance,  anger,  or  sorrow  at  his  bid- 
ding. A  large  and  luxuriant  moustache  graced  his  upper  lip, 
and  lent  a  rather  distingue  appearance  to  his  mouth.  His 
manner  was  easy,  though  at  times  a  little  forced  and  con- 


THE   CORPS   OF   OnSERVATIOX.  59 

strained ;  and  having  cultivated  a  supreme  love  for  association 
with  the  best  society,  he  not  only  believed  it  necessary,  but 
wherever  opportunity  offered  made  use  of  the  most  glowiivj; 
language,  which  he  delivered  in  a  studied,  impressive  style. 
Such  a  person  stepped  up  to  Mr.  Wontus  as  he  entered  the 
gentlemen's  sitting-room,  and  remarked  : 

"  Mr.  Wontus,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  sir  ?" 

"  At  your  service,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  bowing.  "  ^Ir. 
Higginson,  I  presume,  sir?" 

"  Your  obedient  servant."  And  Mr.  Higginson  bowed  very 
low. 

"  ^Ir.  Nidd,  sir,  one  of  our  party.  Mr.  Nidd,  Mr.  Higgin- 
son." 

"  Delighted  to  meet  you,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Higginson,  bowing 
very  low  again;  "of  New  York,  I  presume"  (turning  to  Mr. 
Wontus).  "  What  a  strong  likeness  to  Sherman,  who  I  predict 
is  destined  to  be  one  of  our  great  leaders !  Mr.  Nidd,  pardon 
me,  sir,  but  your  name  is  familiar ;  let  me  see.  Yes,  I  am 
sure  I've  heard  your  name ;  perhaps  some  member  of  your 
family — but  excuse  me,  gentlemen ;  I  had  almost  forgotten. 
It  was  by  the  merest  accident  in  the  world  that  I  learned  of 
your  distinguished  presence  in  the  city.  Was  here  to  meet  a 
friend  from  your  delightful  city.  Heard  from  a  gentleman 
who  was  on  the  train  that  you  were  here.  Always  too  happy 
to  be  of  service  to  strangers  visiting  our  city.  Consider  me  at 
your  service.  Y'"ou  propose  staying  with  us  awhile,  I  hope. 
Much  to  see  of  interest,  I  assure  you." 

Mr.  Wontus  turned  to  Nidd  and  whispered:  "Some  mis- 
take." 

"  Evidently,"  whispered  Nidd. 

"  Not  at  all,  gentlemen,"  cried  the  voluble  Higginson,  who 
had  overheard  the  remarks.  "Not  at  all,  gentlemen.  Y'our 
secret  is  safe  with  me  (and  he  winked  knowingly).  I  can 
well  understand  your  desire  to  be  incog.  Momentous  time  ! 
very,  indeed.  Men  intrusted  with  important  governmental 
business  cannot  be  too  careful."  (Mr.  AVontus  and  Mr.  Nidd 
exchanged  glances.)  "  Only  men  of  sterling  integrity  and  great 
qualifications  would  be  chosen,  I  know.  One  moment,  gentle- 
men." And  jMr.  Higginson  dashed  out  of  the  room  to  return  in 
a  moment  and  inform  Mr.  Wontus  that  the  train  had  come  in, 
and  it  would  be  necessary  for  him  to  tear  himself  away.  Would 


60  WOXTUS,  OR 

they  pardon  his  intrusion  ?  They  would.  Would  they  call 
upon  him  and  take  a  glass  of  old  wine  before  they  left  town? 
They  would.  "Would  they  pardon  him  for  calling  on  them 
again  to-morrow  ?  They  would  be  pleased  to  see  him.  He 
shook  them  by  the  hand  heartily,  and  was  gone  like  a  flash. 

"  Strange,"  said  Nidd. 

"  Veri/  strange,"  said  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  For  whom,  and  what  in  the  devil  does  he  take  us  ?  Per- 
haps Wilkins  has  been  talking." 

"  Perhaps,"  said  Mr.  Wontus.  And  both  gentlemen  settled 
back  in  their  chairs  and  into  silence  at  the  same  time. 

The  hour  of  ten  at  length  tolled  from  the  old  State-House 
bell,  and  lingered  on  the  quiet  air.  '•  Eight,  nine,  ten  ;  yes, 
ten  o'clock,"  said  Wontus,  counting  the  strokes  and  consulting 
his  watch. 

"  Poor  boys!  perhaps  they  have  found  a  watery  grave." 

"  No  danger,"  growled  Nidd,  without  looking  up. 

'•  Perhaps  they  have  ventured  on  the  river,"  said  "Wontus, 
reflectively. 

"  People  who  are  born  to  be  hung  will  never  be  drowned," 
growled  Mr.  Nidd,  rising.  "I'm  going  to  bed."  and  without 
further  ado  he  marched  out  and  asked  to  be  shown  to  his  room. 

Mr.  Wontus  sat  in  a  thoughtful  mood  for  a  long  while,  but 
the  dreamy  god  claimed  him  for  his  own,  and  he  concluded  to 
go  to  bed.  although  sorely  worried  at  the  protracted  absence 
of  his  people. 

The  following  morning  the  two  gentlemen  were  up  by  times, 
and  were  smoking  their  after-breakfast  cigars,  when  Mr.  Ed- 
ward Pason  Montcalmb  Higginson  again  presented  himself. 

"  Ah !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus.  "  have  you  seen  Thomas  or 
Wilkins  ? — pardon  me,  Mr.  Higginson,  but  these  men  have 
worried  me  so  that  I  forgot  that  you  were  not  acquainted  with 
them.  ' 

''  I  will,  freely, — don't  mention  it,  sir.  I  know  what  it  is  to 
be  looking  for  people  with  whom  one  has  urgent  business, — it 
impresses  itself  on  one's  mind  so  terribly.  Just  the  other  day 
I  had  an  engagement  of  importance  with  the  Hon.  Mr.  High- 
strung, — you  know  him?  Splendid,  genial,  high-toned  soul,  I 
assure  you  ;  and  do  you  know  that  I  was  so  worried  by  the 
pressure  on  my  brain  that  I  really  asked  General  ]McDabb — he 
of  the  lion-heart — if  he  had  seen  him,  when  really  the  general 


THE   COUPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  61 

doesn't  know  him  at  all.  ITa !  ha  !  it  was  really  laughable.  Do 
you  know  the  general  ?  As  brave  a  man  and  as  gallant  a  sol- 
dier as  ever  drew  a  sword.  He  dined  with  me  yesterday,  in 
company  with  the  Hon.  Judge  Nabem, — the  judge  is  a  distant 
relation  of  mine,  and  a  capital  fellow  at  table,  I  assure  you." 

Mr.  \Yontus  and  Mr.  Nidd  both  said  that  they  had  no 
acquaintance  with  the  gentleman. 

"I'm  sure  you  would  be  perfectly  delighted  with  the  gen- 
eral,— destined  to  command  the  army,  and  occupy  a  high  place 
in  the  councils  of  the  nation  ;  and  he  deserves  it." 

"  Scribendi !"  said  Mr.  Nidd. 

Mr.  Edward  Pason  Montcalmb  Higginson  looked  at  Mr.  Nidd, 
when  that  gentleman  apologetically  asked  him  why  he  placed 
that  word  on  his  card. 

"  Oh,  yes,  gentlemen ;  I  ought  to  have  explained  before. 
Well,  you  see,  while  I  am  not  exactly  a  paid  contributor  to  any 
of  our  daily  newspapers,  yet,  you  see,  as  the  adage  has  it, 
'  knowledge  is  power,'  and  I  occasionally  contribute  matter  a 
trifle  deeper  and  more  varied  than  the  editors  are  accustomed 
to  handle,  and  my  intercourse  with  the  most  prominent  men 
of  the  country  gives  me  an  opportunity  to  speak  by  the  card 
about  the  events  of  the  day.  Besides  this,"  continued  Mr. 
Higginson,  after  a  brief  pause,  "  these  newspaper  fellows  are 
generally  a  clever  set  of  fellows, — that  is,  in  their  places, — and 
I  occasionally  assist  them  when  I  feel  that  they  are  unable  to 
assist  themselves ;  hence  I  placed  the  word  on  the  card  which 
I  sent  into  you  yesterday." 

Mr.  Nidd  drew  a  long  breath  and  walked  to  the  clerk's  desk. 
That  gentleman  looked  up  at  the  clock,  and  said :  "  Not  yet, 
sir."  And  Mr.  Nidd  walked  back  again  and  said  to  Mr.  Won- 
tus:  "Not  yet." 

"  Very  strange,"  said  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  Did  you  notice  the  little  address  I  made  last  evening  ?" 
asked  Mr.  Higginson. 

]Mr.  Wontus  answered  in  the  negative, — he  had  not  had  the 
pleasure. 

"  In  these  times  one  must  do  all  he  can  to  give  the  govern- 
ment the  support  which  it  needs.  It's  rather  a  pleasing  posi- 
tion for  me,  although  I  cannot  agree  with  the  Hon.  Secretary 
of  War  that  the  Virginia  campaign  should  be  conducted  on  the 
basis  he  proposes.     You  see — but  then  I  presume  you  know 


62  WOXTUS,   OR 

quite  as  mucli  as  I  do.  Ifideed,  gentlemen,  I  would  be  glad 
to  have  you  take  a  glass  of  wine  with  me  to-day.  But  my 
address  last  evening  (producing  a  paper  from  his  coat-tuil 
pocket)  I  had  almost  forgotten.  I  really  feel  ashamed,  the 
reporter  has  so  very  highly  praised  me ;  but  then,  you  know, 
there  is  no  way  of  stopping  them  if  they  take  a  ftincy  to  you." 
And  Mr.  Higginson  laid  the  paper  on  the  table  and  turned 
away.  Of  course  Mr.  Wontus  looked  at  the  paper.  Mr.  Hig- 
ginson knew  he  would  when  he  laid  it  down.  After  a  brief 
perusal,  Mr.  Wontus  pronounced  the  whole  affair  as  capital. 

[Note. — Be  it  known  that  Mr.  Higginson  had  written  the 
speech  and  the  flattering  preface  himself,  and  worried  one  of 
the  reporters  with  numerous  invitations  to  dine  and  wine  with 
him,  until  he  secured  it  a  place  in  the  columns  of  the  Morning 
Flash.'] 

"  I  hope  you  may  be  successful,"  said  Mr.  Higginson,  turn- 
ing to  Mr.  Nidd. 

'^  I  hope  so,"  replied  Mr.  Nidd. 

"  But  is  it  so  very  secret?" 

"Pretty  secret." 

"  Perhaps  I'm  mistaken,  but  I  have  understood " 

"  What  have  you  understood?"  cried  Mr.  Nidd,  internipting. 

"  That  you  were  secret  officers  of  the  government  on  impor- 
tant business  connected  Avith  the  Treasur3\" 

Mr.  Nidd  laughed  heartily  as  he  repeated  the  conversation 
to  Mr.  AVontus,  who  had  been  deeply  interested  in  the  j^aper, 
and  ]\Ir.  Higginson  looked  astonished  and  angry. 

"Why,  dash  it,  old  fellow,"  cried  Mr.  Nidd,  "it  is  all  a 
mistake.  My  friend  here  is  a  retired  soap-boiler,  and  I  am  a 
poor  conveyancer ;  we  are  traveling  for  our  own  pleasure,  and 
at  oui*  own  expense." 

Mr.  Higgiusou's  manner  changed  at  once. 

"  Then  you  are  not  officers  of  the  government  ?" 

"  No." 

"'  Nor  on  secret  business  ?" 

"  No." 

"  Soap-boiler  and  conveyancer,"  said  Mr.  Higginson,  sneer- 
ingly. 

"  Yes."  And  Mr.  Nidd  and  Mr.  Wontus  both  laughed  most 
heartily. 

"  Good -morning  !"  cried  Higginson,  rising. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  63 

"  Don't  hurry,"  said  Nidd,  but  Mr.  Iligginson  was  gone. 

"  That  man  is  not  to  be  trusted,"  said  jNIr.  Nidd,  seriously. 

"  Ha,  ha,  ha  !"  laughed  Mr.  Wontus.  "  Soap-boiler  did  the 
business  for  him." 

Further  remark  on  the  part  of  the  gentlemen  was  cut  short 
by  a  gentleman  asking  if  Colonel  Wontus  was  in. 

"  Been  promoted,"  said  Nidd,  laconically. 

A  tall,  military-looking  gentleman  stepped  up  to  Mr.  Wontus 
and  inquired  if  he  was  Colonel  Wontus.  The  gentleman 
answered  that  his  name  was  Wontus,  but  he  had  never  had  the 
pleasure  of  being  an  army  officer,  much  less  a  colonel. 

"  Ah,  yes,  I  see,"  said  the  major.  "  Your  friend  here,  per- 
haps he " 

"  No,  nor  he  either." 

"  Rather  surprising  in  these  days,  gentlemen, — but  no 
matter, — I  am  Major  Flick,  of  the  secret  service,  your  most 
obedient  servant."  And  the  major  bowed  and  looked  really 
humble. 

"  Secret  service,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  aside ;  "  dash  the  secret 
service  !    Scribendi  next,  I  presume." 

"Well,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  dignity  and  severity  beam- 
ing from  every  lineament  of  his  pastoral  countenance,  "  what 
is  your  business  ?"  And  he  eyed  the  major  from  head  to  foot, 
and  then  from  foot  to  head. 

"  A  word  in  your  private  ear,"  said  the  major,  confidently, 
in  no  wise  abashed  by  the  stern  manner  of  Mr.  Wontus,  and 
castino-  a  meaning  glance  at  Nidd. 

"  No  secrets  from  that  gentleman,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  de- 
cisively.    "  Pray  go  on,  sir." 

"  You  have  a  gentleman — a  most  excellent  gentleman — by 
the  name  of  Wilkins  in  your  party  ?" 

Mr.  Wontus  and  Mr.  Nidd  exchanced  glances. 

"  We  had  !"  replied  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  He  isn't  here  now  ?" 

A  nod. 

"  You  don't  know  where  he  is  ?" 

"  In  heaven,  we  hope  !"  interposed  Mr.  Nidd. 

"  In  prison,"  said  the  major. 

"  Nidd,  I  have  feared  from  the  first  that  that  man  of  yours 
would  get  us  into  trouble,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  addressing  him- 
self to  his  friend. 


G4  WOXTUS,  OR 

"  He's  not  my  man,  sir !"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  sharply ;  "  you 
wanted  him,  and  I  procured  him.' 

"  Not  his  fault  by  any  mean.s,"  cried  the  major,  spiritedly  ; 
"  looking  for  quart<jrs — stopped  to  take  a  snifter  with  a  friend 
— was  brutally  assaulted — knocked  down  by  dasUird  ruffians — 
did  all  I  could  for  him — was  nearly  killed  myself — perfectly 
false  charges  against  the  gentleman — dragged  him  to  station- 
house — been  to  see  him  this  morning — great  shame — matter 
should  be  investio-ated " 


"  And  shall !"  cried  Mr.  AVontus. 

Mr.  Nidd  looked  incredulous,  but  said  nothing. 

"  Where  is  he — where  are  his  accusers?"  asked  Mr.  AVontus, 
"whose  heart  has  been  touched  by  the  recital  of  the  bad  treat- 
ment of  Wilkins. 

"  I  shall  be  pleased  to  accompany  you  to  the  place,"  said  the 
major,  rising.  "  It  has  only  been  a  short  time  since  I  left 
there.  I  called  to  see  the  unfortunate  gentleman  early  this 
morning, — wanted  to  do  something  for  him.      He  sent  me  to 

you." 

"  Very  jDroperly,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  rising.  "  Come,  Nidd !" 
turning  to  the  major :  "  Will  you  take  a  Httle  something,  Mr. 
— major,  before  going  !" 

"  No — ah,  no !"  sighed  the  major,  his  looks  belying  his 
words. 

"  Couldn't  you  be  persuaded?"  said  Mr.  Nidd. 

The  gentleman  was  persuaded,  and  the  party  left  under 
convoy  of  Major  Flick,  who,  Mr.  Wont  as  remarked,  was  very 
entertaining,  and  soon  reached  the  police  office. 

Mr.  Wilkins  had  already  had  a  hearing,  but  as  no  charges 
were  brought  against  him,  except  by  the  officer  who  arrested 
him,  a  fine  was  imposed,  and,  Mr.  Wilkins  being  unable  to 
pay  the  fine  and  charges,  was  returned  to  his  cell  to  await 
transportation  to  the  county  prison.  Of  course  Mr.  Wilkins 
protested  against  the  whole  proceeding  as  being  unjust,  if  not 
unlawful ;  but  he  was  directed  to  shut  up,  which  he  did  like  a 
philosopher,  knowing  that  might  made  right,  whether  law  or 
justice  guaranteed  it  or  not. 

The  sight  of  Mr.  Wontus's  well-filled  wallet  soon  gained 
an  interview  with  Mr.  Wilkins,  who  was  found  with  a  dam- 
aged countenance,  and  after  the  fines  and  charges  had  been 
settled  he  was  liberated  ;   and  then  followed  a  rehearsal  of  the 


THE   CORPS   OF  OBSERVATION.  05 

whole  affair  by  IMr.  Wilkins,  done  up  in  that  gentleman's 
own  inimitable  and  glowing  style.  Mr.  Wontus  listened  with 
wonder,  and  Mr.  Nidd  took  the  liberty  of  questioning  some 
portions  of  the  story  ;  but  Mr.  Wilkins  appealed  to  the  major, 
and  that  gentleman  not  only  verified  every  word  of  it,  but 
added  his  own  testimony  to  the  bravery  of  Mr.  Wilkins,  and 
how  they  (he  and  Mr.  Wilkins)  were  only  overcome  after  all 
by  the  great  paucity  of  numbers. 

"Did  you  notice  mef'  cried  the  major,  as  the  party  en- 
tered the  hotel.  "  Ah,  I  stood  by  you  truly,  but  it  was  of  no 
use  ;  there  was  nothing  that  saved  me  but — it's  all  right  now. 
Didn't  I  call  to  see  you  and  offer  you  my  services  the  first 
thing  this  morning?  Of  course  I  did,  and  I  would  have  had 
you  liberated  without  troubling  your  friends  but  for  my  acci- 
dentally forgetting  my  pocket-book."  Mr.  Wilkins  nodded  as- 
sent continually,  and  Mr.  Wontus  said  :  "  Generous  fellow  !" 
and  then  went  to  the  clerk,  who  looked  at  the  clock  and  said : 
"  Not  yet !" 

"Where  can  Tommy  be?"  remarked  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  Have  you  seen  him?"  asked  Mr.  Nidd  of  Mr.  Wilkins. 

That  gentleman  looked  as  much  surprised  as  a  man  with  a 
pair  of  black  eyes  can  look,  and  said  he  had  not. 

"  Search  must  be  at  once  made ;  inquiries  must  be  insti- 
tuted ;  the  authorities  must  be  notified.  Thomas  must  be 
found  if  alive.  Poor  fellow!"  and  Mr.  Wontus's  fiice  w^ore  a 
sorrowful  expression,  "  perhaps  he  has  been  drowned.  I  am 
sure  he  would  never  have  left  the  house  except  under  the 
most  extraordinary  circumstances." 

"  General,"  cried  the  clerk,  speaking  to  Mr.  Nidd  (it  was 
a  fashion  of  the  time  that  every  stranger  should  be  hailed  by 
a  military  title),  "your  man  is  in  '  moco'  ;  there  is  an  ofiicer 
here  who  has  just  been  sent  here  to  inform  you  of  the  fact." 

"  Moco  ?"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  with  a  puzzled  air.  "  Pray,  sir, 
wdiere  is  '  moco'  ?" 

"  Prison  !"  laughed  the  clerk. 

"Oh!"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  and  he  called  Mr.  Wontus  aside 
to  impart  the  information  that  Thomas  Thomson  was  in  prison, 
otherwise  called  "  moco." 

iMr.  Wontus  was  astonished ;  he  could  not  believe  it ;  but 
there  was  the  officer,  who  reiterated  the  statement  of  the  clerk, 
and  Mr.  Wontus  was  forced  to  believe  it,  much  against  his  will. 

C* 


66  WOXTUS,  OR 

"  Xidd,  111  g^o  home ;  yes,  I'll  go  home.  One  day  out,  and 
enough  trouble  to  ruin  a  stronger  mun  than  I  am.  I  can't 
bear  it,  Nidd !  Tommy  is  close  to  me ;  he's  been  with  me 
since  a  boy,  and  I  feel  the  disgrace  as  much  as  if  he  was  my 
son."  Mr.  W'ontus  spoke  in  accents  of  the  deepest  distress. 
"  Nidd,  Nidd,  what  am  I  to  do  ?  You  are  a  strong,  wise, 
cool  man, — your  advice  !    What  course  had  I  better  pursue?" 

Mr.  Nidd,  thus  appealed  to,  coughed  two  or  three  times, 
rubbed  his  chin  with  the  palm  of  his  hand,  and  in  a  soothing 
voice  bid  Mr.  AVoutus  take  courage.  "  It  will  all  come  right, 
I've  no  doubt,"  he  continued.  '"  Had  you  been  a  married 
man,  Mr.  Wontus,  you  would  have  been  used  to  these  little 
vexations ;  perhaps  some  villains  have  treated  Thomas  as  Mr. 
Wilkins  was  treated." 

"  I  will  get  married No.  I  won't !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus, 

the  language  of  his  friend  still  lingering  in  his  mind.  '•  Per- 
haps," he  said,  after  a  moment's  pause, — •'  perhaps  Tommy  has 
been  unfortunate  ;  I  must  not  be  hasty.  Danm  it,  I  will  stand 
it ! — I'll  stand  anything  !  Go  home  ?  No.  never  !"  And  his 
face  at  once  assumed  a  determined,  cheerful  expression. 

"Where  is  this  place?"  asked  Wontus,  turning  to  the 
officer,  "  this  ^Morocco,  or  whatever  you  call  it  ?" 

The  officer  said  that  it  was  but  a  short  distance  off,  and, 
directing  Mr.  Wilkius  to  remain  until  his  return,  he  and  Mr. 
Nidd  and  the  officer  started  for  the  police  station. 

Thomas  Thomson  was  found,  as  usual  in  such  cases,  and 
was  liberated  in  the  customary  manner,  much  to  his  own 
pleasure  and  Mr.  Wontus's  relief.  On  returning  to  the  hotel 
his  story  was  related,  and  after  everything  had  been  fully  ex- 
plained, Mr.  Nidd  suggested  that  as  quarters  had  not  yet  been 
found,  that  Mr.  Wontus  and  himself  should  go  out  and  seek 
lodgings,  and  that  uuder  no  circumstances  should  3Ir.  Thom- 
son and  3Ir.  Wilkins  leave  the  hotel  until  their  return.  The 
major  stood  by  and  looked  as  though  he  might  be  "  persuaded," 
but  as  he  was  simply  the  friend  of  Mr.  Wilkius.  and  as  Mr. 
Wilkins  was  out  of  spirits,  the  major  soon  left,  promising  to 
call  again  ;  and  our  hero  and  his  friend  sallied  forth  in  search 
of  a  more  desirable  location. 


THE  CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  67 


CHAPTER   VI. 

TELLS  OF  A  SLIGHT  ERROR  CONCERNING  MR.  THOMSON, 
AND  THE  VALOR  OF  MR.  WONTUS.  IT  ALSO  DEVELOPS 
A  NEW  PHASE  IN  GASCON  NIDD'S  CHARACTER,  AND  IN- 
TRODUCES  A   WOMAN. 

The  practical  business  tact  of  Mr.  Nidd,  although  as  a  p:en- 
eral  thing  of  little  use  to  the  party,  was  of  great  service  to  them 
on  this  occasion.  He  informed  Mr.  Wontus  at  the  outset  that 
he  would  attend  to  the  matter,  and  he  commenced  by  deliber- 
ately stopping  and  buttonholing  every  genteel  man  who  came 
along,  and  asking  him  where  he  could  find  a  suitable  lodging- 
house.  His  rather  grave  and  dignified  appearance  spoke  well 
for  him  in  most  cases,  but  it  was  not  until  he  had  inquired  of 
some  half-dozen  or  so,  with  various  results,  that  he  was  suc- 
cessful in  finding  the  man  who  had  confidence  and  cleverness 
enough  to  direct  him  to  such  a  place  as  he  thought  would  suit 
the  inquirer  and  his  party. 

The  house — a  very  nice-looking  one,  on  Walnut  Street — - 
was  reached,  and,  upon  stating  their  business,  Mrs.  Squirm 
was  called,  and  introduced  as  the  landlady.  Her  manner  was 
mild  and  suave  ;  but,  as  Mr.  Wontus  afterward  said  to  Mr.  Nidd, 
privately,  her  looks  were  rather  against  accepting  her  at  her 
own  estimate.  That  made  but  little  dilfereuce,  Mr.  Nidd  said  ; 
and  after  Mr.  Wontus  had  expressed  himself  as  pleased  with 
the  rooms,  the  question  of  rental  was  settled,  and  the  gentle- 
men left,  promising  to  return  with  their  baggage  in  course  of 
the  afternoon. 

"I  think  it  is  a  good  place,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  "for  the 
little  time  we  shall  remain  here." 

Mr.  Nidd  acquiesced,  and  they  journeyed  to  the  hotel,  where, 
somewhat  to  their  surprise,  they  found  both  Mr.  Thomson  and 
Mr.  Wilkins  awaiting  them,  and  without  any  accident  having 
happened  to  either  during  their  absence. 

The  clerk  was  notified  of  their  intention  to  leave,  and  after 
that  gentleman  had  gone  through  the  regular  process  of  cou- 


68  WOXTUS,  OR 

suiting  the  clock,  the  bill  was  made  out,  paid,  and  a  wagon 
loaded  with  the  baggage,  and  Tommy  and  Wiikins  placed  on 
the  top  as  a  guard,  Mr.  Wontus  and  his  friend  intending  to 
direct  the  movement  of  the  whole  from  the  sidewalk.  All 
Toeing  in  readiness,  the  "  percession,"  as  Mr.  AVilkins  called  it, 
moved  from  the  hotel,  and  thence  up  Walnut  Street. 

"  No  accident  to-day,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  as  they  walked  along, 
looking  at  the  surging  mass  of  citizens  and  soldiers  who  crowded 
the  sidewalks. 

"None,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  and  his  flice  looked  as  calm 
and  placid  as  a  mirror.  The  wagon  was  just  crossing  Third 
Street,  and  Mr.  Wontus  had  just  taken  his  eyes  off  that  mag- 
nificent pile  of  stones  called  the  Exchange,  when  a  man  on  the 
sidewalk  opposite  cast  a  hurried  but  penetrating  glance  at 
Tommy,  and  in  a  twinkling  climbed  up  into  the  wagon,  and, 
without  ceremony,  laid  his  hand  on  Mr.  Thomson's  shoulder, 
and  said : 

"  My  prisoner !" 

Mr.  Thomson  looked  at  the  man  with  terror  and  astonish- 
ment. 

"  Come,  get  out !"  cried  the  man,  hurriedly  ;  "  I've  been  look- 
ing for  you  these  two  weeks." 

"  What  for?  I  don't  want  to,"  cried  Mr.  Thomson,  in  pite- 
ous accents,  trying  to  lay  his  hand  on  ^Ir.  Wilkins's  shoulder, 
who  was  sitting  in  front  with  the  driver,  engaged  in  an  absorb- 
ing and  animated  conversation. 

"  Come,  get !"  cried  the  man,  pulling  Tommy  by  the  shoul- 
der; "you  belong  to  the  Seventy-second,  and  you're  wanted." 

The  proceeding  had  been  watched  by  Mr.  Wontus.  "  Nidd  ! 
Wiikins  !  driver  !  anybody  !"  cried  he,  rushing  into  the  street, 
in  a  terrible  condition  of  excitement,  much  to  the  great  amuse- 
ment of  some  and  the  astonishment  of  others,  *' 

"  Will  nobody  stop  this  infernal  wagon  ?"  he  shouted,  trying 
to  put  his  very  short  legs  into  the  very  tall  wagon.  "  Ho  ! 
there,  ho !  there,"  he  continued,  reluctantly  giving  up  his 
efforts  to  get  into  the  wagon.  "  What  in  the  devil  do  you 
mean,  sir  ?  Get  out  of  that  wagon,  and  leave  that  man  alone, 
or  I'll  have  you  arrested.  I'll  brain  you  with  a  stone."  And 
he  commenced  trying  to  pull  one  of  the  paving-stones  from  its 
bed. 

"  He's  a  deserter,  I  tell  you,"  cried  the  man  to  the  driver, 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATIOX.  CQ 

•who  had  been  attracted  by  the  cries  of  Toimiiy  and  jMr.  Won- 
tiis,  and  handed  Mr.  Wilkins  the  reins. 

"  It'  that's  it,  why,  take  him,"  said  the  patriotic  driver.  And 
taking  the  reins  again,  he  pulled  in  alongside  the  curb,  and 
with  Wilkins  calmly  looked  on  at  the  man  trying  to  get  Thomas 
out  of  the  wagon  and  Thomas  trying  to  keep  himself  in. 

"  What's  the  matter?"  coolly  inquired  Mr.  Nidd,  who  had 
just  noticed  Mr.  Wontus's  efforts  to  unloosen  the  paving-stone, 
but  who  as  yet  was  ignorant  of  the  trouble  in  the  wagon. 

"jMatter?"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  with  redoubled  exertions, 
"  look  there  !"  And  he  pointed,  with  an  excited  gesture,  to 
the  struggle  going  on  in  the  wagon.  Mr.  Nidd  was  at  a  loss 
to  comprehend  for  a  moment.  The  usually  innocent  and  placid 
•Mr.  Wontus  in  such  a  position  and  in  such  a  passion  was  new 
to  him.  But  he  saw  that  something  unusual  had  occurred, 
and,  with  gigantic  strides,  he  crossed  the  street,  stepped  up  to 
the  wagon,  and  demanded  to  know  the  reason  for  such  strange 
proceeding's.  Thomas  was  very  red  in  the  face,  and  so  was 
the  man,  for  neither  appeared  to  have  much  the  advantage  of 
the  other  in  strength,  and  both  appeared  to  be  satisfied  to  quit 
their  struggles  to  answer  Mr.  Nidd's  question.  At  this  junc- 
ture Mr.  Wontus  came  up,  and  would  probably  have  made 
somebody  feel  the  weight  of  a  huge  stone  which  he  held  in  his 
hand,  had  it  not  been  for  the  fact  that  the  stranger,  catching 
sight  of  his  threatening  countenance  and  menacing  attitude, 
leaped  from  the  wagon  and  ran  up  a  neighboring  street,  amid 
the  shouts  of  the  crowd  who  had  been  attracted  to  the  scene 
by  the  rather  unusual  proceedings. 

"  Bully  for  the  old  duck  !"  shouted  one  ;  "  Hunkey  boy  !" 
shouted  another ;  and  then  the  crowd  sent  up  such  a  yell  that 
Mr.  Wontus  was  brought  to  a  true  understanding  of  the  rather 
ludicrous  figure  he  was  cutting,  in  a  very  sudden  manner. 

"  Drive  on  !"  cried  Mr.  Nidd,  in  a  commanding  manner,  as 
the  man  disappeared  around  the  corner,  and  Mr.  Wontus  cast 
his  boulder  into  the  street.  ''  Drive  on  !"  And  leaving  an  ex- 
planation of  the  affair  to  follow  in  course  of  time,  the  party 
journeyed  on  without  further  mishap  until  the  mansion  of 
Mrs.  Squirm  was  reached  and  the  corps  safely  installed  in  its 
new  quarters.  Thomas  was  able  to  impart  scarcely  more  thau 
the  reader  is  already  familiar  with,  and  the  conclusion  arrived 
at  by  all  was,  that  the  strange  man  was  either  a  detective  or 


70  WOXTUS,  OR 

a  recruiting  agent,  and  had  selected  Thomas  as  his  own,  and 
would  probably  have  succeeded  in  making  him  a  soldier  but 
for  the  courageous  interference  of  Mr.  Wontus.  Mr.  Wilkins 
Wcis  loud  in  the  praise  of  Mr.  Wontus,  but  desired  it  to  be  fully 
and  perfectly  understood  that  he  had  stood  inactive  merely  to 
secui-e  the  man  himself  and  then  turn  him  over  to  the  authori- 
ties, which  he  was  sure  he  would  have  done  had  it  not  been 
for  the  interference  of  Mr.  Wontus,  and  so  the  matter  stood. 

The  new  quarters  were  comfortable,  and  after  tea  the  gen- 
tlemen came  up  refreshed  and  lively.  31r.  Thomson  particu- 
larly so.  Experience  had  taught  him  wisdom,  for,  besides 
being  confined  in  the  narrow,  filthy,  sickly  limits  of  a  police 
station  cell,  he  had  been  so  unfortunate  as  to  find  that  all  of  his 
money  had  mysteriously  disappeared,  at  a  time  when  he  had 
undertaken  to  play  the  part  of  a  gentleman.  Besides  that,  had 
he  not  escaped  from  the  hands  of  a  ruffian,  who  would  have 
dragged  him  away  if  he  could  ?  To  be  sure  he  had,  and  he 
felt  like  rejoicing. 

As  for  Mr.  Wilkins,  his  equilibrium  did  not  appear  to  have 
been  disturbed  in  the  least ;  his  almost  impenetrable  counte- 
nance was  ornamented  by  a  pair  of  swollen  black  eyes,  which  were 
less  penetrable  and  expressive  than  usual.  His  disposition  was 
not  of  that  kind  that  can  be  called  excessively  sensitive  ;  he 
was  not  easily  cast  down,  and  was  hard  to  keep  down  when 
he  did  go  down  at  all ;  and  as  he  sat  on  the  top  of  Mr.  Wontus's 
trunk,  with  his  legs  stretched  out  before  him,  no  serener  or 
happier-looking  man  (with  exception  of  the  eyes)  could  pos- 
sibly be  found.  The  misfortunes  of  the  day  before  were  evi- 
dently not  calculated  to  make  much  of  an  impression  upon  a 
nature  such  as  his;  in  fact,  as  a  "  man  of  the  world,"  he  looked 
on  these  little  events  as  but  passing  ripples  upon  the  placid 
bosom  of  life's  river.  He  often  quoted  from  his  miscelhmeous 
lore,  "  let  the  dead  past  bury  the  dead,"  and  endeavored  to  live 
up  to  that  doctrine  by  burying  disagreeable  thing's  the  moment 
they  were  numbered  among  the  past. 

Mr.  Nidd  had  listened  to  Mr.  Thomson's  story,  had  formed 
his  own  opinion  of  everything  connected  with  the  aflfair,  ajid 
without  deigning  to  give  vent  to  his  opinion,  took  his  place 
at  the  window  and  was  soon  engaged  with  his  evening  news- 
paper. Mr.  Wontus  appeared  to  think  that  there  were  traces 
of  the  late  accidents  lingering  in  the  minds  of  the  company, 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  71 

and  no  fooner  did  that  thought  take  possession  of  him  than  he 
resolved  to  dispel  it  and  accordiniily  proposed  a  game  of  euchre. 
After  a  little  persuasion  Mr.  Nidd  consented,  and  Mr.  Wilkins 
was  directed  to  procure  a  pack  of  cards,  which  he  quickly  did 
from  one  of  the  boxes,  much  to  the  surprise  of  Mr.  Wontus, 
who,  while  he  liked  the  game,  could  not  bear  the  idea  of  his 
dying  suddenly  and  having  a  pack  of  cards  found  among  his 
elFects.  The  game  was  started,  and  progressed  for  some  time  in 
silence,  but  Mr.  Nidd  being  constantly  the  winner,  Mr.  Wontus 
declared  that  it  was  becoming  monotonous  and  proposed  to 
make  it  a  four-hander,  taking  in  Messrs.  Wilkins  and  Thomson. 
Nidd  assented,  with  a  chuckle  of  ill-disguised  pleasure,  and 
they  threw  around  for  partners.  Whether  by  accident  or  de- 
sign cannot  be  said,  but  despite  Mr.  Wontus's  best  wishes  to 
the  contrary,  it  occurred  that  Nidd  and  Wilkins  held  the  two 
highest  cards,  and  hence  were  partners  against  Wontus  and 
Thomson. 

Of  course  it  would  be  understood',  as  the  game  progi'essed, 
that  Mr.  Thomson  was  not  much  of  a  player,  but  still  I  venture 
to  verify  the  matter  in  advance,  and  avouch,  on  my  own 
account,  that  he  hardly  knew  a  knave  from  a  king.  The  game 
went  on,  and  notwithstanding  the  want  of  science  on  Mr. 
Thomson's  part,  and  the  want  of  that  important  adjunct, 
"  luck,"  on  Mr.  Wontus's  part,  he  won  a  majority  of  the  games 
at  the  end  of  the  first  hour. 

During  the  time  it  was  noticeable  that  while  Mr.  Nidd  did 
not  appear  to  take  much  interest  in  the  game,  yet  there  seemed 
to  be  a  perfect  system  of  telegraphing  between  him  and  his 
partner.  Mr.  Wontus  was  in  high  glee,  and  once  or  twice, 
when  Mr.  Nidd  suggested  that  it  was  growing  late,  Mr.  Wontus 
twitted  him  with  the  remark,  that  he  guessed  if  he  couldn't 
play  any  better  than  he  (Nidd)  did,  that  he'd  want  to  go  to 
bed  too. 

"  But  it's  so  dry,"  said  Nidd. 

"  Ha,  ha  !"  laughed  Mr.  Wontus,  "  that's  your  game,  is  it? 
Yery  well.  Now,  Thomas,  we  will  show  them  something ; 
well  make  it  interesting ;  the  loser  to  pay  for  the  wine,  the 
winner  to  go  for  it.     Is  it  agreed  ?" 

Mr.  Wilkins  said  he  was,  perfectly.  Mr.  Nidd  said  nothing, 
but  in  a  knowing  way  commenced  to  shuffle  the  cards. 

"  Best  two  in  three,"  said  Mr.  Wontus. 


72  WOXTUS,  OR 

"  Best  two  in  three,"  said  Mr.  Nidcl,  and  the  p:ame  pro- 
gressed. The  tclcirraphing  between  Mr.  Nidd  and  Wilkins 
continued,  and  at  the  close  of  the  first  rubber  Mr.  Wontus  lost 
by  just  one  point. 

"  Very  close,"  said  he,  turning  down  his  counters.  "  If  I 
had  played  my  ace  on  that  second  trick,"  he  continued,  "  I 
"Would  have  euchred  you." 

"  Unquestionably,"  remarked  Mr.  Wilkins,  with  great  po- 
liteness. 

The  next  rubber  Mr.  Wontus  won  without  trouble  ;  but  now 
came  what  Mr.  Wilkins  declared  was  the  "  sugar,"  and  the 
coterie  was  individually  and  collectivel}'  interested. 

"  Now,  Tommy,  you' must  exercise  care,"  said  Mr.  Wontus, 
advising  his  partner;  "our  reputation  is  at  stake,"  and  Mr. 
Wontus  played  the  knave  of  hearts ;  Wilkins  followed  with  a 
side-card.  '-Now,  Tommy,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  "your  play; 
be  careful !" 

"  Yes,  sir,"  answered  Mr.  Thomson,  fingering  his  cards  and 
looking  at  them  intently.     "  What's  trump  ?" 

"  Hearts  !"   cried  Mr.  Wontus,  excitedly. 

"  Then  the  jack  of  diamonds  is  the  next  best  card  to  the 
jack  of  hearts,  ain't  it?" 

"  Certainly.     Now " 

Mr.  Thomson  played  the  knave  of  diamonds. 

"  Thunderation  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  excitedly,  jumping  up 
from  his  chair  and  endeavoring  to  look  into  his  partners  hand. 

"  No  instructions  !"  cried  Mr.  Nidd,  interposing,  and  forcing 
Mr.  Wontus  into  his  chair.     "  No  instructions  !" 

"  Have  j'ou  no  other  heart?"  almost  shouted  Mr.  Wontus. 

Tommy  looked  at  his  hand,  then  at  his  partner,  then  at  his 
hand  again,  but  said  nothing.     He  looked  bewildered. 

"  No  instructions !"  cried  Mr.  Nidd  again,  and  he  played  a 
small  card  and  pushed  the  trick  over  to  Mr.  Wontus. 

He  led  again  ;  this  time  a  spade.  Mr.  Wilkins  trumped  it. 
Thomas  played  a  spade ;  so  did  Nidd,  and  the  trick  was  won, 
much  to  the  chagrin  of  Mr.  Wontus,  who  cast  fierce  glances 
at  his  partner.  Mr.  Wilkins  led  the  ace  of  hearts ;  Tommy 
played  the  ten,  Nidd  played  the  queen ;  and  Mr.  Wontus  the 
king. 

"Any  more,  gentlemen?"  said  Mr.  Wilkins,  as  he  played 
out  the  nine. 


THE  CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  73 

«  A  euchre,  by  thunder !' '  shouted  Mr.  Wontus ;  "  and  with 
enough  cards  in  our  hands  to  have  made  a  march,      ihomas, 

you  are  a  stupid  ass."  ,     „r  >         xi,      *     p 

^  The  gentlemen  all  laughed  at  Mr.  Wontus  s  outburst  of 
passion,^ind  the  game  went  on.  But  our  hero  had  lo«t  all  in- 
terest in  the  game,  and  let  it  go  by  default. 

"You've  Tost,"  said  Mr.   Nidd,  deprecatmgly,  laymg  his 
hand  on  Mr.  Wontus's  arm.  u  r.ivi  ..^f 

"  Mr.  Nidd,"  said  Wontus,  calmly,  but  severely,  /d  d  not 
lose  ;  it  was  that  infernal  jackass  sitting  there  1  And  with  this 
he  jumped  up  from  his  chair,  and,  mashing  his  hat  on  his 
head,  walked  with  hearty  strides  to  the  door,  which  he  flung 
open  as  though  he  was  going  out.  Suddenly  he  halted. 
"  Nidd  "  he  cried,  in  a  subdued  voice,  "  come  here. 
Mr.  Nidd  advanced  to  the  door  and  looked  in  the  direction 
indicated  by  Mr.  Wontus's  finger.  "  Scribendi!  he  whis- 
pered. And,  in  truth,  there  stood  Mr.  Edward  Pason  Mont- 
calmb  Higginson,  with  his  ann  encircling  the  waist  ol  Mrs. 
Scmirm,  the  landlady.  ...      ,    . 

"  What's  to  be  done?"  asked  Mr.  Wontus,  partially  closmg 
the  door,  his  face  losing  its  vexed  expression. 

"  Whit's  to  be  done  ?"  echoed  Mr.  Nidd.     "  Why,  what  u 

to  be  done?"  _^  ^    .      i 

"It's  so  amusing,"  whispered  Mr.  Wontus,  mysteriously 
and  he  shrugged  his  shoulders  and  gave  vent  to  a  subdued 
laugh.     "  Let  us  have  another  peep  at  them. 

The  door  was  opened  cautiously,  but  Mr.  Edward  Pason 
Montcalmb  Higginson,  who  had  been  standing  in  the  mom 
just  across  the  first  landing  on  the  stairs,  and  not  more  than 
a  dozen  yards  off,  had  mysteriously  disappeared,  and  the  land- 
lady was  sitting  in  the  centre  of  the  room,  completely  ab- 
sorbed in  writing.  j  ^v  ,„i, 
"Very  singular,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  as  he  ga^d  through 
the  partially-open  door  at  her  placid,  innocent  face;      very 

singular!" 

"Rather  good-looking,    said  Mr.  Nidcl. 

"  Pleasant,  too,"  continued  Mr.  Wontus.  ^, 

"  All  women  are  pleasant  until  you  are  married  to  them, 

replied  Mr.  Nidd. 

"  Nidd,  I'm  astonished."  .      ,, 

"  You'd  be  more  astonished  if  you  were  married. 
7 


7-1  WOXTUS,  OB 

"  But,  Nidd,"  continued  Mr.  Wontns,  without  heeding  his 
friend's  last  remark,  "  men  are  the  same.  I  do  not  approve 
of  this  fasliiou  men  have  of  laying  everything  to  women." 

'•  The  first  great  cause,''  said  Nidd,  deci.^ively. 

'•  I  was  never  married,"  and  Mr.  Wontus's  face  assumed  a 
rather  regretful  cast  as  he  spoke,  '"but  I  am  sure " 

"  So  am  I  sure .'"  interrupted  Mr.  Nidd.  "  That's  the  rea- 
son why  I  spoke.     I  loved  my  wife " 

"  Ahem  !"  sjiid  a  female  voice  just  outside  of  the  door. 

Mr.  Nidd  darted  on  tip-toe  to  the  front  window  and  looked 
out.  Mr.  Wontus  stood  with  his  hand  on  the  knob  of  the 
door,  the  picture  of  perplexity ;  he  seemed  to  be  rooted  to 
the  spot.  A  gentle  knocking  at  the  door  did  not  relieve  him 
in  the  least.  He  feared  to  move  lest  he  should  be  heard,  and 
he  feared  to  speak  lest  his  close  proximity  to  the  partially 
open  door  would  indicate  the  fact  that  he  had  been  peeping. 
Another  gentle  rapping.  Mr.  Wontus's  face  flushed  and  his 
knees  trembled.  Mr.  Wontus  felt  that  he  had  been  guilty  of 
something  that  was  really  disgraceful.  Something  must  be 
done,  and  he  commenced  a  series  of  pantomimic  signs  to 
Tommy  and  Wilkins,  but  these  gentlemen  were  busily  engaged 
in  a  lesson  at  seven-up,  and  failed  to  see  the  signs  and  postures 
which  Mr.  Wontus  threw  them  to  attract  their  attention. 
The  knock  was  repeated  ;  this  time  a  trifle  louder  than  before. 
The  party  looked  up  and  gazed  in  mute  astonishment  at  the 
contortions  of  Mr.  Wontus's  face  and  body.  First  he  would 
wave  his  hand  to  command  silence ;  then  he  would  wriggle 
his  body  as  though  troubled  with  a  pain  ;  then  he  would  point 
to  the  door  with  such  a  look  of  intense  disgust  that  he  pre- 
sented a  really  painful  picture. 

Tommy  no  sooner  saw  the  position  and  contortions  of  his 
master  than  he  was  upon  his  feet  in  a  moment,  upsetting  his 
chair,  and  making  considerable  noise  in  his  efforts  to  be  quick, 
and  was  about  to  fly  to  the  rescue,  when  he  was  checked  by 
the  warning  hand  and  grievous  face  of  3Ir.  Wontus. 

•'What's  the  matter?"  cried  Tommy,  excitedly. 

Mr.  Wontus  only  waved  his  hand  more  vigorously  and 
shook  his  head  warningly. 

"  Sit  down,"  whispered  Mr.  Wilkins,  instantly  comprehend- 
ing the  situation. 

Mr.  Thomson  resumed  his  seat  with  wondennent  depicted 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  75 

in  ever}^  lineament  of  his  countenance,  and  IMr.  Wontus 
looked  somewhat  relieved.  All  this  had  transpired  in  the 
brief  space  of  a  few  seconds ;  but  as  Mr.  Wilkins  advanced 
to  the  door  atid  placed  himself  between  it  and  Mr.  Wontus 
the  latter  gentleman's  face  was  bathed  in  perspiration. 

"  Beg  pardon,  madam,  did  you  knock?"  said  Mr.  Wilkins, 
forcing  Mr.  Wontus  into  a  corner  and  opening  the  door.  He 
spoke  in  his  blandest  and  sweetest  accents. 

Mr.  Wontus  looked  relieved,  and  for  the  first  time  since 
the  scene  commenced  drew  a  long  breath. 

"  Beg  your  pardon,  sir,"  said  a  sweet,  mellow  female  voice, 
"  but  Ihetird  you  talking  and  I  thought  I  would  step  over 
and  see  if  you  would  like  to  have  anything.  I  like  my 
boarders  to  be  waited  on  properly." 

Mr.  Wontus  wiped  the  perspiration  from  his  face  and  en- 
deavored to  peer  through  the  chink  of  the  door. 

"  Not  at  all,  madam,"  said  Mr.  Wilkins,  shading  his  already 
shaded  eyes.  "  We  were  deeply  interested  in  a  philosophical 
question, — you  are  very  kind, — no  occasion  to  ask  pardon, — 
only  very  happy  not  to  be  so  situated  as  to  trouble  you." 

"  Grood-evening,  sir,"  and  the  voice  and  its  owner,  Mrs. 
Squirm,  vanished  down  the  stairs.     Wilkins  shut  the  door. 

"Splendid!  splendid!"  shouted  Mr.  Wontus,  capering 
about  the  room.  "  Wilkins,  you  are  a  man  of  ;he  world  ;  a 
perfect  jewel.  Who  could  have  done  the  thing  ro  well  as  you? 
Nobody.  Nidd's  a  deserter.  What  a  sweet  voice  she  ha.s ! 
But  there's  that  man  Higginson  ;  what's  he  doing  here?  No 
matter,  she  is  an  elegant  woman, — a  splendid  woman ;  and  what 
anxiety  she  manifests  for  our  comfort !  Nidd,  I  say,  why  did 
you  desert?  I  am  confounded  glad  you  did  ;  but  why  did  you  ?" 

"  Mr.  Wontus,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  turning  from  the  window  for 
the  first  time,  "that  is  a  fine  woman, — an  exception  to  the  rule. 
No  nonsense  about  her  ;  all  business, — common  sense  ;  the  first 
woman  of  the  kind  I  have  ever  seen.  In  some  respects  she 
reminds  me  of  my  deceased,  dear  wife.  Fine  round  form, 
blue  eyes,  dark  hair;  and  what  shoulders!  Grand  woman. 
Mr.  Wontus,  if  we  remain  here  any  length  of  time  I  shall  take 
pains  to  cultivate  her  acquaintance.  What  was  the  matter 
with  you  ?  You  did  not  show  that  courage  that  a  man  of  your 
age  should  always  display  in  the  presence  of  the  fair  sex.  I 
was  amazed  at  you." 


"76  WOXTUS,  OR 

"  You!  you  amazed  at  nie  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus.  picking  up 
the  cards  and  tlirowing  them  down  again  with  violence.  "  You 
amazed  !  Well,  sir,  it  was  /  who  ought  to  have  been  amazed ! 
I  stood  by  the  door  and  would  have  entertained  the  lady  most 
handsomely  had  she  entered,  but  she  did  not.  As  it  was,  you 
deserted.     Where  is  your  gallantry,  Mr.  Nidd  ?    Where  is  it?" 

Mr.  Nidd  did  not  deign  to  reply  to  these  remarks,  or  if  he 
did,  he  did  not  have  the  opportunity,  for  Mr.  Wilkins's  mildest 
voice  suggested  that  if  the  liquor  which  had  been  played  for 
and  won  was  not  forthcoming  pretty  soon  it  would  be  too  late. 
But  the  harmony  of  the  occasion  was  disturbed,  and  Wontus 
suddenly  became  crabbed  and  disagreeable. 

"  Good-night,  sir,"  said  Mr,  Nidd,  and  he  walked  into  his 
room,  adjoining  Mr.  Wontus's,  and  closed  the  door  after  him. 

"A  cheat,"  soliloquized  Mr.  Wontus,  and  then  adding, 
aloud :  "  Go  to  bed,  boys,  go  to  bed  ;  there  has  been  enough 
excitement  in  the  past  few  days  to  kill  a  man  ;  we  all  want 
rest."  And  directing  Mr.  Thomson  to  turn  oiF  the  gas,  3Ir. 
Wontus  rolled  himself  into  bed,  and  thought  of  the  vexations 
and  mishaps  that  had  met  him  thus  far  at  every  step  on  his 
journey.  After  a  time  his  thoughts  assumed  a  more  agreeable 
line,  and  he  fell  asleep  with  the  mellow  voice  of  Mrs.  Squirm 
ringing  in  his  ears  and  bright  pictures  of  the  future  dancing 
before  his  eyes. 

[It  would  be  tedious  for  the  reader  to  wade  through  the 
many  pages  of  closely  written  matter  which  tell  of  the  steps 
of  the  members  of  the  club,  from  the  time  they  became  in- 
stalled in  Mrs.  Squirm's  house  until  they  left  the  City  of 
Brotherly  Love,  a  week  afterwards,  therefore  w^e  have  set  one 
of  our  savants  to  work  with  a  view  to  cull  the  choicest  mor- 
sels, and  present  them,  with  a  brief  summary,  to  the  reader. — 
Pub.] 

Mr.  Nidd  could  never  tell  why  he  had  taken  a  dislike  to 
Mr.  Edward  Pason  Montcalmb  Higginson  at  the  first,  and  now 
that  they  were  both  quartered  beneath  the  same  roof,  and  eat- 
ing day  after  day  at  the  same  table,  the  feeling  was  not  im- 
proved in  the  slightest.  Mr.  Higginson  quietly  ignored  the 
members  of  the  corps,  and  treated  them  as  though  they  were 
perfect  strangers.  With  Mr.  Wontus  this  made  no  particular 
difference,  because  he  was  seldom  in  the  house  except  to 
meals;   but  with  Mr.  Nidd  the  matter  was  quite  different. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION^.  77 

That  gentleman  appeared  to  take  a  particular  delight  in  thrust- 
ing himself  into  Mr.  Iligginson's  way  whenever  opportunity 
ofiered.  If  he  met  Mr.  lligginson  on  the  stairs,  he  stood  in 
his  way,  and  that  gentleman  quietly  walked  round  him.  If 
]Mr.  Higginson  said  to  anybody  in  Mr.  Nidd's  presence  that 
the  weather  was  charming,  that  gentleman  at  once  said  to  some- 
body else  that  it  Wiis  miserable.  If  he  said  the  news  from  the 
front  was  distressing,  Mr.  Nidd  at  once  pronounced  it  delight- 
ful and  most  cheering.  To  all  of  which  Mr.  Higginson  never 
ventured  a  reply  or  even  a  look.  But  what  angered  Mr.  Nidd 
more  than  anything  else  was  the  assiduous  attention  bestowed 
upon  the  charming  Mrs.  Squirm.  There  were  two  reasons  for 
this  :  first,  because  Mr.  Nidd  was  naturally  a  jealous  man,  and 
second,  because  Mrs.  Squirm  was  always  attentive  to  him, 
when  Mr.  Higginson  was  not  present,  but  appeared  to  lose  in- 
terest in  him  when  Mr.  Higginson  was  there.  As  the  days 
wore  on  the  condition  of  affairs  grew  worse  instead  of  better, 
and  finally  the  matter  came  to  a  head,  after  a  style  that  will 
be  delineated  farther  on  in  these  pages.  . 

With  Mr.  Wontus  everything  was  very  pleasant.  He 
awoke  the  morning  after  his  game  of  euchre,  feeling  re- 
freshed ;  and,  while  he  dressed  himself,  thought  over  the 
affair  with  his  friend  the  night  before,  and  was  willing  to 
confess  to  himself  that  his  anger  had  really  a  woman  at  the 
bottom  of  it,  and  that  woman  w^is  Mrs.  Squirm,  his  landlady. 
"Wine  and  women,"  said  he,  "are  at  the  bottom  of  most 
things,  but  with  the  second  I  am  forever  done."  And  thus 
he  philosophized,  and  quietly  dismissed  the  matter  from  his 
head — after  asking  his  friend's  pardon. 

From  that  time  out  his  happiness  was  not  clouded  by  a 
single  mishap.  He  kept  both  Tommy  and  Mr.  Wilkins  by 
his  side  continually,  and  spent  his  days  visiting  the  different 
places  of  interest  about  the  city,  and  his  nights  either  in  his 
room  or  at  the  theatre.  He  visited  the  Volunteer  llefresh- 
ment  Saloons  at  the  lower  end  of  the  city,  where  thousands 
of  brave  men  were  fed  by  the  dainty  hands  of  fair  ladies 
every  day,  and  watched  with  the  keenest  interest  the  sacrifices 
that  were  made  by  men  and  women,  young  and  old,  rich  and 
poor,  that  the  government  and  the  ^ag  which  they  loved  so 
well  might  be  preserved  to  them  and  posterity.  He  heard  the 
heartfelt  thanks  and  the  hearty  cheers  that  welled  up  from 

7* 


78  WONTUS,  OR 

the  bosoms  of  the  brave  fellows  who  were  thus  so  generously 
cared  for,  and  his  hands  itched  with  the  desire  to  aid  with  his 
personal  services  the  patriotic  men  and  women  who  toiled, 
without  money,  without  price,  for  the  dear  old  flag  of  our 
fathers.  There  was  help  in  abundance,  for  each  and  every 
one  seemed  to  vie  with  his  neighbor  as  to  who  should  con- 
tribute the  most  to  the  welfare  of  their  soldier  guests,  and 
both  day  and  night  found  willing  hands  to  minister  to  the 
wants  of  all. 

Girard  College  also  came  in  for  a  share  of  his  attention  ; 
and  here  a  little  incident  occurred,  which,  though  trifling  in 
its  character,  deserves  a  place  in  the  archives  of  the  corps.  It 
was  a  bright,  cheerful  morning  when  Mr.  Wontus  and  his 
friends,  armed  with  the  necessary  pass  and  dressed  with  more 
care  than  usual,  presented  themselves  at  the  gate  for  admittance. 

"  Gentlemen  of  your  cloth  are  not  permitted  to  visit  the 
institution,"  said  the  gate-keeper,  looking  at  Mr.  Wontus, 
"  but  these  other  gentlemen  can  go  in  if  they  desire."  And  he 
pointed  to  Wilkius  and  Thomson. 

"  Not  go  in?"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  regretfully. 

"  No,  sir." 

"  These  men  can  go  in  ?" 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Then  why  not  me  also  ?"  asked  Mr.  Wontus,  excitedly. 

"  You  haven't  read  your  card  of  admission  carefully,  have 
you  ?" 

"No." 

"  You  ought  to  do  it." 

"Why?"  said  Mr.  Wontus.  "  I  did  not  understand  that 
any  man  was  excluded  from  visiting  this  place,  and  I  would 
like  to  know,  sir,  why  I  am  singled  out  in  this  manner?" 

"  Well,  sir,"  said  the  gate-keeper,  with  a  smile,  "  men  of 
your  calling — ministers  of  the  gospel — are  not  admitted.  It 
is  a  part  of  the  will  of  the  gentleman  who  founded  the  col- 
lege, and  was  intended,  I  presume,  to  keep  the  scholars  from 
quarreling  about  the  difterent  modes  of  worshiping  God." 

"  Thuuderation  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  not  exactly  compre- 
hending the  matter.  "  I  am  not  a  minister.  I  was  a  soap 
manufacturer,  but " 

"  Soap  manufacturers  are  admitted,"  interrupted  the  gate- 
keeper, laconically,  and  he  ushered  the  party  in. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  79 

It  was  a  long  while  before  Mr.  Wontus  got  the  matter 
thoroughly  fixed  in  his  head ;  but  during  his  wanderings 
through  tiie  spacious  halls  of  the  institution  he  finally  accom- 
plished that  important  feat,  and  informed  Mr.  AVilkins  that 
he  thought  it  was  perfectly  right,  and  that  Mr.  Girard  must 
have  been  a  man  of  great  foresight  and  penetration  to  have 
ever  thought  of  such  a  thing;  for  himself  (Wontus),  he 
would  never  have  dreamed  of  it. 

At  the  close  of  the  club's  first  week  with  Mrs.  Squirm  the 
chasm  existing  between  Mr.  Nidd  and  Mr.  Higginson  had 
grown  wider,  deeper,  and  more  threatening.  The  landlady, 
anxious  to  please  both  parties,  had  endeavored  to  keep  herself 
out  of  the  way  of  both  ;  but,  somehow  or  other,  Mr.^  Nidd 
always  managed  to  find  her  and  spend  an  hour  or  so  in  her 
company,  at  such  times  regaling  her  with  the  admii-able  attri- 
butes of  the  former  Mrs.  Nidd,  and  hinting  at  the  many  simi- 
larities which  existed  between  that  lamented  lady  and  Mrs. 
Squirm.  These  occasions  generally  occurred  during  the  ab- 
sence of  Mr.  Wontus,  and,  strange  to  say,  were  invariably 
interrupted  by  Mr.  Higginson  calling  Mrs.  Squirm  away  to 
look  at  some  delicate  flowers,  or  something  of  that  sort,  which 
he  had  just  purchased. 

At  such  times  Mr.  Nidd  indulged  in  words  not  proper  to 
mention  here,  and  showered  curses  deep  and  long  on  the  de- 
voted head  of  the  aforesaid  Higginson.  Finally  affliirs  were 
brought  to  a  climax  one  evening  by  Mr.  Nidd  calling  his  rival 
a  snipe,  a  puppy,  and  various  other  choice  names,  ending  the 
whole  by  giving  Mrs.  Squirm,  in  Higginson's  presence,  an  ac- 
count of  "' Scribendi's"  visit  to  them  at  the  hotel ;  the  airs  he 
put  on,  and  the  invitations  he  had  given  them  to  dine  and  wine 
with  him.  The  lady  expressed  her  astonishment,  but  begged 
the  gentleman  to  forbear.  Mr.  Higginson  in  his  loftiest  manner 
undertook  to  explain  the  matter  to  the  lady,  but  making  sundry 
trifling  errors  in  point  of  truth,  Nidd  grew  more  furious  than 
ever,  and  ended  the  scene  by  pulling  ^Ir.  Higginson's  nose, 
telling  him  he  could  have  satisfaction  if  required,  and  dashing 
out  into  the  street. 

Mr.  Wontus  returned  rather  later  than  usual,  and  was  much 
surprised  to  find  Mr.  Nidd  absent.  He  proceeded  directly  to 
his  room,  and  was  therefore  unacquainted  with  what  the  reader 
already  knows.     In  blissful  ignorance,  he  felt  happy ;  the  day 


80  WOXTCS,  OR 

had  been  full  of  interest,  and  the  news  from  the  army  was 
more  cheering.  McClellan  had  perfected  all  his  arrangements  ; 
the  troops  were  brigaded  ;  the  brigades  were  formed  into  corps, 
and  everything  betokened  activity  and  an  early  movement. 

Mr.  WonlQS  was  sitting  ruminating  over  the  news,  when 
he  was  .startled  by  the  well-known  voice  of  Mr.  Nidd  singing 
"Hail  Columbia,"  in  a  minor  key,  and  so  high  that  his  voice 
occasionall}'  found  it  necessary  to  change  into  a  falsetto  of  the 
most  distresiiing  shrillness.  Had  a  bombshell  fallen  into  the 
room  Mr.  Wontus  could  not  have  been  more  astounded,  but 
there  was  little  time  for  thought,  before  the  tall  form  of  Mr. 
Nidd  came  bounding  into  the  room  in  the  most  unceremonious 
and  uncalled-for  manner  imaginable. 

"  I'm  drunk,"  said  Mr.  Nidd.  His  saying  so  was  entirely 
superfluous,  for  anybody  who  had  eyes  could  see  that  he  was. 

"  Hush  !"  said  Wontus.  shutting  the  door  and  forcing  Nidd 
into  a  chair.     '•  Hush  !  you  will  alarm  the  house." 

"  Alar-alar-alarm  the  house  ?  That's  what  I  want  to  do  !" 
And  followinir  this.  Mr.  Nidd  indultred  in  a  howl,  somethino' 
between  the  cry  of  a  mastiff  and  a  Sioux  war-whoop. 

"  In  Heaven's  name,  hush  !""  cried  Mr.  Wontus.  "  Tommy, 
"Wilkins,"  he  continued,  "  come  here."  But  these  gentlemen 
had  retired  or  gone  out. 

"  111  li-hic  him  now  !  '  cried  Mr.  Nidd.  endeavoring  to  force 
himself  out  of  the  chair.  "  Yes,  111  li-hic  him  now — this 
very  min't.  Hi2:-Hiir'son,  where  are  you?  Scribendi.  come 
fo-forth." 

Mr.  Wontus  endeavored  to  find  out  where  his  friend  had 
been,  and  after  considerable  effort  on  Mr.  Nidd's  part,  in  which 
Higginson —  gin — nose  pulled  — fight — Squirm —  muss —  pis- 
tols, etc.,  were  prominently  mixed  up,  that  gentleman  said 
enough  to  give  Mr.  Wontus  to  understand  that  there  had  been 
a  difliculty,  that  was  likely  to  end  in  something  serious,  and 
that  his  friend  had  been  fortifying  himself.  This  ascertained, 
he  succeeded  in  getting  him  to  bed,  and  at  once  made  prepara- 
tions for  leaving  the  city. 

The  next  morning  Mr.  Wontus  consulted  the  party  at  an 
early  hour.  Mr.  Nidd  coming  up  "  groggy,"  as  the  pugilists 
say,  and  informed  them  that  the  corps  would  leave  on  the  eight 
o'clock  train  for  Baltimore.  Mr.  Nidd  demurred  at  first,  but 
finally  consented,  and  after  breakfast  the  bill  was  paid,  Mrs. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  81 

Squirm  bid  adieu  by  all  but  IMr.  Nidd,  and  tlie  corps  was  again 
on  its  way  toward  the  seat  of  war. 

As  a  simple  matter  of  justice  I  am  constrained  to  say  that 
if  Mr.  Nidd  remembered  anything  of  the  evening  before,  he 
never  permitted  a  syllable  of  it  to  pass  his  lips ;  therefore,  as 
is  customary  under  like  circumstances,  we  shall  be  charitable 
enough  to  believe  that  Mr.  Nidd  had  entirely  forgotten  that 
he  had  pulled  Edward  Pason  Montcalmb  Higginson's  nose  and 
had  promised  satisfaction,  with  the  saving  clause,  "  if  required." 
It  is  probably  well  enough  for  the  reader  to  know  that  it  was 
not  required,  and  that  Mr.  Higginson  only  wished  that  he 
could  remain  at  home  and  demand  satisfaction  ;  but  most  un- 
fortunately, business  called  him  to  New  York,  on  the  six  o'clock 
train,  hence  he  was  on  his  way  two  hours  before  his  antagonist 
was  awake,  and  thus  what  might  have  been  a  decided  "affiiir 
of  honor,"  was  successfully  checkmated  by  an  affair  of  business. 


CHAPTER  YII. 

QUARTERS  THE  CORPS  IN  BALTIMORE,  AND  DEVELOPS  A 
NEW  TALENT  IN  MR.  WILKINS — IT  ALSO  TAKES  THREE- 
QUARTERS  OF  THE  PARTY  TO  A  BALL,  AND  RELATES  A 
LUDICROUS  SCENE,  AND  OTHER  THINGS  TOO  NUMEROUS 
TO    MENTION. 

The  ride  to  Baltimore  was  unattended  by  any  occurrence 
worthy  of  note,  and  had  it  not  been  that  Mr.  Wilkins  had 
only  checked  the  baggage  to  that  place,  it  is  probable  that  the 
Monumental  City  would  have  been  left  out  of  these  records, 
or  if  mentioned  at  all,  would  have  received  but  a  passing  notice. 
That  Mr.  Wilkins  did  a  most  lucky  thing  in  doing  this  there 
can  be  no  question,  for  while  the  corps  was  eager  to  proceed 
directly  to  AVashington,  Mr.  Wontus  has  since  expressed  him- 
self as  being  delighted  at  his  having  assumed  extraordinary 
authority  on  the  occasion,  and  insisted  on  spending  a  day  or 
two  with  the  Baltimoreans.  He  had  heard  of  the  disloyal 
element  which  was  said  to  pervade  the  city  so  extensively,  and 
as  he  had  never  seen  any  disloyal  people  outside  of  his  native 


82  WOXTUS,   OR 

city,  he  concluded  that  it  would  be  time  well  spent  for  him  to 
per^^onull}^  investigate  the  charge. 

Rooms  were  secured  at  a  hotel  on  Pratt  Street  by  Mr.  AVil- 
kius,  and  after  dinner  Messrs.  Wontus  and  Nidd  sauntered 
through  the  city,  leaving  Wilkins  and  Thomson  to  arranj_e  the 
baggage.  The  trunks  once  in  the  rooms,  Mr.  Wilkins  suggested 
the  propriety  of  his  calling  on  some  friends  ;  and  leaving  31  r. 
Thomson  to  await  the  return  of  his  employer,  he  took  his  de- 
parture, assuring  Tommy  that  his  absence  would  be  of  very 
brief  duration. 

That  a  man's  life  should  be  one  constant  round  of  exciting 
or  vexing  incidents  seems  at  the  first  glance  to  be  rather  im- 
probable, if  not  exactly  impossible,  and  yet  it  is  within  the 
knowledge  of  almost  every  man  who  has  a  large  circle  of  ac- 
quaintance that  there  are  men  in  the  world  whose  mode  of 
living  and  thii-st  for  the  exciting  and  curious  render  their 
every-day  life  a  perfect  panorama  of  the  Diost  singular  mis- 
haps and  exciting  scenes.  That  these  accidents  should  occur 
day  after  day  without  cessation,  however,  is  a  little  singular, 
and  the  reader  would  be  inclined  to  believe,  if  they  followed 
in  regular  rotation,  that  the  writer  w.-^s  allowing  his  imagina- 
tion to  play  an  important  part  in  th  •  detailing  of  events  that 
came  beneath  his  notice.  Now  thi>;  should  not  be,  for  in  the 
days  we  write  of  no  man  who  moved  about,  particularly  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  large  cities  or"  the  country,  could  fail  to 
notice — if  not  too  much  absorbed  in  himself — that  every  day 
brought  with  it  something  interesting ;  either  ludicrous,  pleas- 
ant, or  distressing.  Thu.><  far  it  has  been  the  fortune  of  the 
members  of  the  Wontus  Corps  of  Observation  to  be  the  prin- 
cipal actors  in  strange  comedies  or  ludicrous  farces  ;  nor  is 
this  at  all  singular  when  we  consider  how  differently  in  many 
things  each  member  was  constituted,  and  how  each,  if  we  may 
except  the  usually  skeptical  Mr.  Nidd.  thirsted  for  entertain- 
ment and  consequent  adventure.  "  If  all  the  trees  of  the 
forests  were  made  into  pens,  and  all  the  oceans  were  ink."' 
there  would  scarcely  be  enough  of  either  to  indite  the  noticeable 
incidents  that  transpire  beneath  the  notice  of  the  most  com- 
monplace sight-seer  in  the  course  of  a  lifetime  of  threescore 
years  and  ten.     But  I  digress. 

As  Mr.  Wontus  and  his  friend  did  nothing  more  than  wan- 
der about  and  look  at  the  monuments  and  forts  during  the  first 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  83 

two  days  of  their  stay,  I  shall  leave  that  important  fraction  of 
the  club  and  turn  to  our  friend  Mr.  Wilkins.  It  is  not  ex- 
actly certain  that  that  gentleman  had  ever  been  in  BaltiuiDro 
before,  but  he  strode  up  Pratt  Street  to  Light,  and  turned  up 
that  street  with  the  air  of  a  man  who  knows  what  he  v  ants 
to  do  and  means  to  do  it.  He  had  a  happy  faculty,  and  (»uc 
which  sits  well  on  very  few  people,  that  of  bestowing  a  coii- 
tinuous  nod  of  recognition  on  gentlemen  that  he  mot  on  the 
street,  and  which  was  invariably  returned,  sometimes  out  of 
politeness  and  at  others  because  the  gentleman  (Wilkins)  had 
one  of  those  peculiar  faces  which  (constantly  remind  us  of  some 
person  who  exists  in  the  misty  memories  of  the  past. 

I  say  this  was  a  happy  faculty,  and  so  it  was,  for  on  more 
than  one  occasion  Mr.  Wilkins  was  greeted  most  warmly  by 
men  who  had  never  seen  him  before  in  their  lives,  and  to  whom 
he  instantly  made  himself  a  most  agreeable  acquaintance  by 
his  suavity  and  knowledge  of  the  world, — not  as  the  term  is 
generally  understood,  but  in  a  geographical  sense.  These  oc- 
casions he  never  allowed  to  slip  by,  but  at  once  proceeded  to 
turn  them  to  advantage  in  some  way. 

"  Good-evening,  doctor,"  cried  a  gentleman,  rushing  up  to 
Mr.  Wilkins  as  he  turned  into  Baltimore  Street. 

"  Ah,  good-evening,"  returned  Wilkins,  and  both  shook 
hands  most  heartily. 

"  How  have  you  been  ?  I'm  glad  to  see  you  looking  so 
well — family  all  well,  I  hope.  Terrible  times  these — much 
sickness  in  your  locality  ?"  And  again  Mr.  Wilkins  shook  the 
gentleman's  hand  most  vigorously. 

"  I  fear  I  am  mistaken,"  said  the  gentleman,  after  a  close 
scrutiny  of  Mr.  Wilkins's  face  and  form.  "  Indeed,  I  must 
ask  your  pardon,  sir ;  I  thought  you  were  my  old  friend,  Doctor 
Nimrod." 

It  was  now  Mr.  Wilkins's  turn  to  be  surprised,  and  he  did 
it  most  beautifully.  "  And  are  you  not  my  old  friend,  Sena- 
tor   ?"     He  mentioned  a  certain  prominent  gentleman's 

name  and  then  stepped  back  and  threw  his  eyes  over  the  gentle- 
man's person.  The  gentleman  answered  that  he  was  plain 
Mr.  Jones,  but  looked  as  though  his  being  mistaken  for  Sena- 
tor  was  quite  a  compliment.     Mr.  Wilkins  saw  that  he 

had  him. 

"  Indeed,  sir,  it  is  I  who  should  apologize,"  said  Mr.  Wilkins. 


g4  WOXTUS,  OR 

"  Dasli  it !  it's  neither  of  us,"  returned  the  gentleman. 
"  We  have  both  been  mistaken.  Allow  me  to  be  so  imperti- 
nent as  to  ask  your  name." 

'•  "Wilkins,  sir  ;  of  the  secret  service." 

"  Ah  !  G-lad  to  have  met  you,  Mr.  Wilkins  ;  allow  mt,  as 
a  settlement  of  this  difficulty,  to  insist  on  you  joining  me  in  a 
glass  of  wine." 

Mr.  Wilkins  demurred. 

Mr.  Jones  insisted,  and  finally  pei*suaded  Mr.  Wilkins  to 
walk  around  to  Barnum's,  where  they  cracked  a  bottle  of  wine 
and  numerous  jokes  at  the  same  time.  "Wine' works  won- 
ders," says  an  old  play,  and  in  this  case  it  created  a  most  genial 
friendship  between  the  two  gentlemen  who  had  been  brought 
together  in  such  an  unexpected  and  strange  manner. 

"  Secret  service,  eh?"  said  Mr.  Jones,  sipping  his  wine. 

"  Yes, — a  party  of  us ;  excellent  gentlemen,  I  assure  you." 
And  Mr.  Wilkins  reclined  back  in  his  chair,  and  threw  one 
leg  over  the  other  like  a  man  who  feels  his  importance. 

'•  Going  to  remain  any  time  in  town?"  asked  Mr.  Jones. 

"  Can't  tell  exactly  ;  don't  think  we  will  remain  more  than  a 
day  or  two  longer.    You  see  I  am  dressed  for  out-door  service." 

"  I  hope  you  will  remain  over  Wednesday ;  splendid  party 
on  AVednesday  evening ;  strangers  attached  to  the  service  and 
known  to  the  committee  are  invited ;  elegant  time,  I  assure 
you ;  everything  first  class ;  would  like  to  invite  your  party  ; 
all  gentlemen?" 

'•  Perfect  gentlemen,"  said  Mr.  Wilkins ;  "  and  I've  no 
doubt  but  that  they'd  be  pleased  to  attend,  if  convenient." 

"  Have  you  a  card?"  asked  Mr.  Jones. 

Mr.  Wilkins  went  through  the  unnecessary  trouble — for  he 
knew  he  had  none — of  searching  his  pockets,  and  then  said  he 
had  not.  Mr.  Jones  took  one  of  his  own  cards,  and  asked  Mr. 
Wilkins  his  address.  Having  written  it  down,  and  ascertained 
how  many  there  were  in  Mr.  Wilkins's  party,  the  gentleman 
excused  himself  for  a  moment  and  left  the  room.  Wilkins 
was  perfectly  satisfied  with  ever^'thing  thus  far,  and  gave  him- 
self no  concern  as  to  the  future.  In  a  few  moments  Mr.  Jones 
returned,  and  brought  with  him  a  piece  of  printed  paper,  in- 
viting Major  Benjamin  Wilkins  and  friends  to  the  Union  As- 
sembly, which  would  take  place  on  Wednesday  evening  next 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  85 

"  There,"  said  the  gentleman,  placing  the  paper  in  Mr.  Wil- 
kins's  hand ;  "  now  I  hope  you  will  be  able  to  come ;  pretty 
girls,  good  music.     You  will  enjoy  yourselves,  I  know." 

Mr.  Wilkins  thanked  him  most  fluently,  and  Mr.  Jones  soon 
after  remarking  that  he  had  an  engagement,  the  gentlemen  ex- 
pressed the  pleasure  each  had  derived  from  meeting  the  other, 
and,  with  a  promise  to  meet  again  on  Wednesday,  they  parted. 

It  being  near  tea-time,  Mr.  Wilkins  returned  to  the  hotel, 
congratulating  himself  on  his  good  fortune,  and  thinking  of 
the  surprise  he  had  in  store  for  the  other  members  of  the  corps. 
AVontus  and  Nidd  came  in  soon  after,  and  all  the  members 
proceeded  to  the  tea-table  in  excellent  spirits. 

During  the  meal  Mr.  Wilkins  related,  in  a  matter-of-fact 
sort  of  way,  how  he  had  met  an  old  friend  of  his,  whom  he 
had  not  seen  since  he  left  him  at  Ems,  in  Germany,  some  two 
years  before,  and  how  his  old  friend  Jonesey  (he  grew  familiar) 
had  insisted  on  inviting  the  whole  party  to  attend  the  very 
fashionable  and  very  select  Union  Assemblies  that  were  then 
being  held  every  two  weeks  in  the  city,  and  wound  up  his 
story  by  the  production  of  the  invitation.  It  is  but  proper  to 
say  that  Mr.  Nidd  believed  Mr.  Wilkins  to  be  relating  what 
was  not  true  when  Mr.  Wilkins  spoke  of  "  Jonesey,"  but  the 
production  of  the  invitation  was  more  than  he  could  bear 
quietly,  and  he  ejaculated  : 

"  The  devil !"  and  was  about  to  say  more,  but  was  stopped 
by  Mr.  Wontus  declaring  that  he  was  in  favor  of  remaining 
over  Wednesday  and  participating  in  the  affair. 

And  so  it  was  settled  that  the  corps  should  remain  over 
Wednesday  and  attend  the  hop.  Two  things  are  here  necessary 
to  be  understood :  the  first  is,  that  to  all  outward  appearances 
all  the  members  of  the  party  were  on  the  same  footing,  except 
on  occasions  that  were  mutually  understood ;  and  .second,  that 
neither  Wontus,  Nidd,  nor  Thomson  had  ever  danced  a  step  in 
their  lives.  Had  Mr.  Wilkins?  Certainly,  he  had  waltzed 
with  the  Duchess  of  Sadowa,  at  Copenhagen,  and  "  varsovieii- 
nied"  with  the  Princess  Metternich  at  the  Tuileries ;  but, 
then,  his  circumstances  were  such  that  his  dress  was  not  the 
most  creditable  in  point  of  elegance  and  fashion. 

"  That  just  makes  me  think,"  said  :Mr.  Wontus.  "  What 
are  we  to  do  for  proper  wardrobes  to  attend  the  party  in  ? 
Nidd,  have  you  anything  to  suit?" 

y 


86  wo  XT  us,   OB 

Mr.  Nidd  said  he  guessed  he  could  make  out,  and  Mr. 
Wontus  guessed  he  could  ;  but  Wilkins  ?  That  gentleman's 
wardrobe  was  brief,  or,  in  other  words,  it  did  not  take  any 
considerable  length  of  time  to  pack  or  unpack. 

The  party  left  the  table  and  adjourned  to  the  sitting-room, 
where  the  subject  was  renewed.  Mr.  Wontus  guessed  that 
Tommy  didn't  want  to  go,  and  referred  to  that  gentleman  for 
an  answer.  Tommy  guessed  he  didn't.  Mr.  Wilkins  guessed 
that  he'd  not  go,  but  Mr.  Wontus  would  not  hear  of  such  a 
thing. 

"  Why,  we  don't  know  anybody,"  said  Mr.  Nidd. 

"  No,"  said  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  Got  no  proper  clothing,"  said  Mr.  Wilkins,  looking  down 
at  himself  suggestively. 

"  We'll  fix't^iat,"  said  Mr.  Nidd.  "  Eh,  Wontus?"  Mr. 
Wontus  nodded,  and  thus  it  was  settled  that  three-fourths  of 
the  corps  should  attend  the  next  party, — the  last  of  the  season. 

Wednesday  evening  came,  and  with-  it  came  rain, — a  pa- 
tient, easy-going  rain,  which  seemed  to  say  that  it  had  come 
with  a  determination  to  stay  and  shed  its  liquid  influences 
upon  all  mankind.  The  storm  was  quite  an  inconvenience  to 
most  people,  but  to  our  friends  it  was  quite  a  blessing,  for  Mr. 
Nidd  said — and  he  was  authority  on  such  matters  in  the 
party — that  any  peculiarity  of  dress,  or  absence  of  dress-coats 
on  such  an  evening,  would  be  perfectly  excusable. 

The  hours  rolled  round,  and  about  half-past  seven  Mr. 
Wontus  presented  himself  in  the  parlor,  followed  by  Nidd, 
Wilkins,  and  Tommy,  the  latter  a  spectator ;  and,  as  they 
stood  surveying  themselves  in  the  mirror,  let  me  devote  a  few 
minutes  to  a  description  of  each. 

About  Mr.  Wontus  there  was  nothing  particularly  notice- 
able, except  that  his  shirt-collar  appeared  to  be  making  an 
effort  to  embrace  his  ears,  which  effort  Mr.  Wontus  was  con- 
stantly frustrating  by  elevating  his  chin  and  smoothing  down 
the  collar  with  his  hands.  His  shirt-bosom  was  rather  elab- 
orate,— that  is,  it  fell  in  a  bulging,  wavy  sort  of  manner  over 
his  noble  bosom;  but  with  these  little  exceptions  he  was  fault- 
less, in  a  black  sack-coat,  blue  vest,  and  black  pantaloons. 

Mr.  Nidd  had  rendered  himself  captivating  in  a  blue  cloth 
swallow-tail  coat,  ornamented  wit*li  brass  buttons.  It  came  up 
very  high  about  his  neck  and  down  very  low  about  his  legsj 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  87 

the  sleeves  might  have  been  longer,  for  as  it  was,  every  time 
Mr.  Nidd  extended  his  arm  in  any  direction  the  sleeves  would 
bashfully  shrink  up  his  arm,  leaving  his  cuffs  entirely  exposed, 
or  displaying,  in  a  ravishing  manner,  his  bony  wrists.  It  was 
not  a  new  garment  by  any  means, — if  I  mistake  not,  the 
owner  was  married  in  it, — and  the  collar  luxuriated  in  a  su- 
perfluous quantity  of  pomatum,  in  which  dust  and  oil  were 
probably  the  most  important,  if  not  the  only  ingredients.  The 
seams,  too,  were  plainly  visible  to  the  naked  eye,  but,  as  the 
gentleman  was  not  a  proud  man  in  point  of  dress,  this  made 
little  difference.  His  dark-green  vest  was  cut  very  low  iu 
front,  and  was  rather  short-waisted.  His  pants  were  of  black 
cassimere,  and  resembled  his  coat  in  more  than  one  respect. 
They  had  been  cut  in  the  flishion  of  some  years  before,  were 
tight  in  the  legs  and  low  at  the  waist,  thus  givimg  his  long 
legs  the  semblance  of  a  large  pair  of  tongs.  His  feet  were 
encased  in  a  neat  pair  of  boots, — as  neat  as  his  feet  would 
permit, — whose  legs  were  plainly  outlined  on  the  outside  of 
his  pants.  At  first  sight,  the  casual  observer  might  be  in- 
duced to  think  that  Mr.  Nidd's  pantaloons  gave  him  trouble, — 
for  he  frequently  pulled  them  up  that  they  might  meet  his 
vest,  and  just  as  frequently  pulled  them  down  again  that  they 
might  cover  as  much  of  his  feet  as  was  possible, — but  this 
was  not  the  case.  Mr.  Nidd  was  entirely  at  his  ease.  He 
had  carefully  brushed  his  hair,  trimmed  his  whiskers,  and 
oiled  them,  and,  as  he  surveyed  himself  in  the  mirror,  he 
looked  as  though  he  would  like  to  say,  "  Much  improved." 

Mr.  Wilkins  mildly  protested  against  changing  his  dress, 
for  he  saw  that  little  improvement  could  be  made.  But  both 
Mr.  Wontus  and  Mr.  Nidd  insisted  on  his  wearing  certain 
articles  of  dress  which  they  selected  from  among  their  own 
stock  of  clothing,  and,  as  a  "man  of  the  world,"  Mr.  Wilkins 
bowed  in  submission  to  fate.  As  he  stood  in  the  middle  of 
the  floor,  he  made  a  figure  at  once  severely  grotesque.  One 
of  Mr.  Nidd's  well-worn  bottle-green  frock-coats  hung  in  loose 
folds  about  his  back  and  shoulders,  while  a  waistcoat  of  Mr. 
Wontus's,  mammoth  in  its  proportions,  enveloped  his  chest 
and  extended  far  down  toward  the  abdominal  regions.  A  pair 
of  black  pantaloons,  also  the  property  of  Mr.  Wontus,  graced 
his  lower  extremities.  These  articles  of  dress  had  been  made 
expressly  for   Mr.  Wontus,  and   hence  were  very  wide  and 


88  woxTus,  on 

baggy  in  every  part,  but  more  particularly  so  about  the  hips. 
They  were  short  in  the  legs,  too, — that  is,  for  Mr.  Wilkins, — . 
and  altogether  resembled,  as  well  as  I  can  imagine  it,  that  pic- 
ture of  looseness  which  is  intended  to  be  represented  by  the 
phrase  "a  shirt  on  a  bean-pole."  Mr.  Wilkins  had  made 
sundry  tucks  in  different  parts  of  his  dress,  and,  with  the 
assistance  of  a  few  towels  and  other  articles,  had  filled  out  the 
parts,  so  that,  so  long  as  the  tucks  held  good  and  the  filling 
remained  in  its  place,  he  presented  the  appearance  of  a  gentle- 
man who  was  growing  suddenly  corpulent,  and  whose  tailor 
was  anticipating  further  developments. 

The  Union  Assemblies  of  Baltimore  were  probably  the  most 
social  and  enjoyable,  as  well  as  the  most  fashionable,  parties 
given  in  the  Union  during  the  war.  Gotten  up  and  supported 
entirely  and  exclusively  by  the  Union  men  of  the  city,  the 
officers  of  the  army  and  uslvj,  as  well  as  other  distinguished 
Union  men  who  happened  to  be  passing  through  or  stationed 
in  the  city,  were  invited  to  enjoy  the  hospitalities.  As  the 
name  indicates,  they  were  social  assemblies  in  fact,  for  all 
who  met  there  were  looked  upon  as  belonging  to  one  common 
family.  In  this  way  men  and  lovely  "women  were  brought 
together,  amid  scenes  that  were  never  to  be  forgotten  ;  and 
acquaintances  formed  among  the  people  of  the  city,  which,  in 
many  instances,  ripened  into  the  closest  friendship.  The 
greatest  care  was  taken  by  the  committees  that  no  person  who 
was  tinged  with  disloj'alty  to  the  government  should  secure 
admittance,  and  thus  those  who  were  strangers  to  the  people 
of  the  city  were  able  to  select  for  themselves  friends  from 
among  those  only  who  were  friendly  to  the  cause  which  they 
espoused.  That  such  a  thing  was  necessary  those  who  mingled 
with  the  citizen  population  of  the  border  State  cities  can  very 
well  understand.     But  to  proceed. 

"  Nidd,  you're  looking  young  again,"  said  Mr.  Wontus, 
taking  a  survey  of  his  friend  ;  "  I  told  you  that  a  little  out — a 
little  recreation  from  business  would  do  you  good,  and  by 
gTacious,  it  has." 

'•Think  so?"  said  Mr.  Xidd,  elevating  his  eyebrows  and 
casting  side  glances  at  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  You'll  be  at  your  old  game  of  flirting  with  the  women 
again,  I  expect,"  laughed  Mr.  Wontus,  as  Nidd  strode  proudly 
across  the  room. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  89 

"  Ah  !"  ejaculated  Mr.  Nidd. 

"  It"  31rs.  Squirm  could  be  here,"  said  Mr.  Wilkins,  with 
animation,  "  then " 

"  It's  time  to  go !"  cried  Mr.  Nidd,  suddenly  and  almost 
fiercely. 

"  So  it  is,"  said  Mr.  "Wontus,  looking  at  his  watch,  and 
directing  Thomas  to  wait  up  for  them.  The  gentlemen  pro- 
ceeded to  the  assembly. 

"  Wilkins  and  friends,"  said  the  door-keeper,  as  the  gentle- 
men presented  themselves.  "  Wilkins  and  friends,"  echoed  a 
committee-man,  who  looked  over  the  list  of  enrolled  guests. 
"  All  right,  gentlemen  ;  walk  in." 

''  Secret  service,"  said  the  committee-man,  whispering  to  the 
door-keeper,  and  casting  significant  glances  at  the  party. 

The  door-keeper  winked  his  eye  in  a  knov/ing  way,  and  the 
gentlemen  were  ushered  in  in  imposing  style. 

The  opening  promenade  had  not  taken  place,  and  the  three- 
quarters  of  the  Wontus  Corps  of  Observation  stood  near  the 
doorway  and  gazed  with  rapturous  delight  upon  the  living 
panorama  of  beautiful  women  and  gallant  men  who  passed 
them.  Mr.  Nidd's  eyes  fairly  danced  in  their  sockets,  and  his 
constant  requests  for  Mr.  Wontus  to  look  here  and  then  there, 
as  some  pleasing  female  face  or  form  met  his  gaze,  at  length 
induced  Mr.  Wontus  to  move  a  little  to  one  side  and  enjoy  the 
scene  uninterruptedly.  In  the  gallery  at  the  upper  end  of  the 
room  the  fine  band  of  the  2d  Artillery  was  stationed.  Along 
each  side,  arranged  in  couples  or  in  groups,  were  ofiicers  of 
the  ordnance  department,  cavalry,  artillery,  and  infantry  ;  each 
was  chaperoned  by  a  fair  lady,  whose  sparkling  eyes  were 
rendering  captive  the  sons  of  Mars. 

The  band  plays  a  march,  and  in  double  files  the  company 
moves  in  grand  review  around  the  room.  The  scene  was  both 
new  and  inspiring  to  Mr.  Wontus,  and  perhaps  to  Mr.  Nidd, 
but  the  latter  gentleman  was  so  deep  in  his  admiration  for  the 
ladies  that  he  appeared  lost  to  all  else.  Mr.  Wilkins  stood 
with  his  right  foot  extended,  his  left  hand  on  his  left  hip,  and 
his  right  in  the  upper  button-hole  of  his  coat,  and  surveyed 
the  throng  as  it  passed  with  dignified  scrutiny. 

"  Mr.  Jones,  I'm  delighted  to  be  with  you,"  said  Mr. 
Wilkins,  advancing  toward  a  gentleman  who  was  passing. 
*'  I've  been  looking  for  you  ;  allow  me  to  introduce  my  friends 

3* 


90  woxrrs,  or 

— splendid  affair — excels  the  court  ball  at  St.  Cloud.  ]\Ir. 
Jones  allow  me  to  introduce  Colonel  Wontus,  3Iajor  Nidd, — 
particular  friends  of  mine,  and  true  blue  to  the  core.  (Aside.) 
In  disguise — all  of  us — keep  mum."  And  with  a  knowing  look, 
he  dragged  ^Ir.  Jones  to  one  side  and  whispered  sonK3  infor- 
mation in  that  gentleman's  ear  which  the  world  will  never 
know,  leaving  Wontus  and  Nidd  to  express  their  surprise  at 
the  titles  which  had  just  been  bestowed  upon  them. 

"  Gentlemen,  allow  me  to  introduce  you  to  the  company. 
It  is  our  desire  that  all  who  visit  here  should  enjoy  themselves." 
And  taking  the  senior  member  of  the  corps  by  the  arm,  Mr. 
Jones  excused  himself  to  Wilkins  and  escorted  them  through 
the  hall,  and  introduced  them  to  the  different  ladies  and  gen- 
tlemen of  his  acquaintance.  Some  of  the  ladies  smiled,  and 
the  gentlemen  exchanged  glances  as  the  rather  odd-looking 
gentlemen  were  introduced  ;  but  after  a  little  whispering  from 
Mr.  Jones,  in  which  the  words  "  secret  service"  and  "  dis- 
guise" were  easily  distinguishable,  the  smiles  invariably  gave 
way  to  looks  of  awe.  (The  word  "  secret,"  no  matter  under 
what  circumstances  it  may  be  spoken,  invariably  carries  with 
it  a  mysterious  influence,  which  no  other  word  in  the  language 
can  or  ever  does  command.)  Mr.  Nidd.  observing  that  con- 
siderable attention  was  being  paid  to  them  on  every  hand, 
became  more  enamored  of  himself  than  usual,  and  elevated  his 
chin  higher  than  ever. 

At  length  the  first  quadrille  was  summoned  by  a  blast  of 
a  trumpet,  and  a  grand  dash  was  made  for  places  on  the  floor. 
Mr.  Jones  was  engaged  for  the  first  set,  and  placing  Mr. 
Wontus  in  the  hands  of  a  venerable-looking  gentleman  wearing 
the  straps  of  a  brigadier-general,  and  introducing  Mr.  Nidd  to 
a  lady  who  answered  to  the  descriptive  language  of  the  three 
F's,  viz.,  "fat,  fair,  and  forty,"  he  bounded  away,  and  was 
soon  lost  in  the  throng. 

To  inform  the  reader  that  Mr.  Wontus  soon  found  himself 
in  the  refreshment-room  with  the  venerable-looking  gentleman 
with  the  brigadier's  uniform,  and  that  that  gentleman  (the 
brigadier)  would  persist  in  drinking  numerous  toasts  to  tlie 
secret  service,  until  both  gentlemen  became  a  little  mixed, 
would  simply  be  what  really  happened.  To  add  that  Mr.  Nidd 
frequently  visited  the  refreshment-room  during  the  evening, 
in  company  with  the  three  F's,  and  that  his  pants  would  per- 


THE   CORPS   OF  OBSEUVATTON.  91 

sist  in  being  either  too  long  or  too  short,  and  that  as  the  even- 
ing progressed  he  became  more  and  more  didactic  in  his 
manners,  would  simply  be  superfluous,  fur  it  belonged  to  Mr. 
AV^ilkins  to  play  the  part  of  the  real  hero  of  the  occasion. 

That  gentleman  presented  a  never-to-be-forgotten  appearance, 
but  his  countenance  was  as  clear  and  his  manner  as  self-assured 
as  though  he  was  attired  in  the  tip  of  the  mode  and  the  cyno- 
sure of  all  observers.  Fashion,  in  choosing  him  as  her  own, 
would  make  a  fearful  mistake,  and  yet  he  stood  there,  after 
Mr.  Jones  had  left  with  his  friends,  in  an  attitude  which  gave 
all  who  chose  to  look,  to  understand  that  he  was  in  no  way  em- 
barrassed or  impressed  by  the  beauty,  life,  and  grandeur  that 
surrounded  him.  Under  such  circumstances,  inactivity  and 
non-communication  with  those  that  were  about  him  was  equal 
to  all  the  tortures  of  the  rack.  By  accident  or  intent,  an 
officer  of  infontry  took  his  stand  close  by  him.  Now  was  the 
time,  and  Mr.  Wilkins  commenced  the  siege. 

"  Fine  party,  sir, — seen  nothing  to  excel  it  since  the  grand 
fete  in  Venice  in  honor  of  the  Doge  in  '57.  Ever  been  in 
Venice  ?"     Mr.  Wilkins  paused  for  a  reply. 

The  officer  surveyed  the  rather  singular-looking  gentleman 
for  a  moment,  and  answered : 

"  No,  sir." 

"  Splendid  place  ;  girls  beautiful — large  black  eyes — dark 
hair — dark  skins — real  Venuses."  (A  pause.)  "  Any  place 
where  a  thirsty  man  could  wet  his  whistle?"  continued  Mr. 
Wilkins,  in  an  under-tone. 

"  Up-stairs,"  said  the  officer,  a  captain,  moving  his  head  in 
the  direction  of  the  refreshment-room. 

"  Thanks,  colonel,  thanks,"  said  Mr.  Wilkins,  in  his  most 
impressive  manner.  "■  But,  pardon  me,  will  you  do  me  the 
favor  to  tell  me  that  gentleman's  name  ?"  (He  pointed  with  his 
finger.)    "  I  think  I  met  him  at  Moscow  a  year  or  two  since." 

There  is  nothing  like  a  modest-looking  and  yet  familiar  man 
to  take  hold  of  and  hold  one's  attention.  I  look  at  one  of  these 
gentlemen  with  the  same  absorbing,  anxious  interest  that  I  do 
at  a  loaded  cannon,  expecting  that  it  will  go  oiF — when  it  does 
go  ofi" — in  some  unexpected  moment  and  direction. 

The  officer  looked  on  Mr.  Wilkins  as  if  he  was  one  of  this 
sort  of  cannon,  and  after  giving  Mr.  Wilkins  the  desired  in- 
formation, seemed  to  await  the  next  explosion.     But  it  never 


92  WOXTUS,  OR 

came.  Mr.  TTilkins  no  sooner  heard  the  gentleman's  name 
pronounced  audibly  by  the  captain,  and  pronounced  it  himself 
to  insure  correctness,  than,  throwing  his  left  hand  in  the  hollow 
of  his  back  and  keeping  his  right  in  the  lapel  of  his  coat,  he 
marched  up  to  the  gentleman  and  spoke : 

"  Pardon  me,  sir,  if  I  intrude  ;  but,  if  I  mistake  not,  you  are 
Mr.  Pattei-son  ?"     Mr.  AVilkins  paused  for  a  reply. 

"  You  are  right,  sir,"  said  the  gentleman,  pleasantly  ;  "  that 
is  my  name." 

"  Let  me  see,"  solilociuized  Mr.  Wilkins,  in  an  attitude  of 
deep  thought,  "  I  was  endeavoring  to  place  you, — remember 
your  name  very  well,  but  can't  place  you  to  save  me."  And 
again  Mr.  Wilkins  fell  to  thinking. 

''  I've  traveled  considerably,"  said  the  gentleman  :  "  South 
America,  Mexico,  and  our  own  continent,  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacific  ;  in  fact,  pretty  generally  evcr^'where." 

'"Let  me  see,"  said  Mr.  Wilkins,  contemplatively,  '"Pots- 
dam,— ever  been  at  Potsdam?" 

"Prussia?" 

"  Yes  ;  grand  review, — splendid  military  spectacle, — 23d  of 
May,  '59.'"'' 

The  gentleman  nodded  in  the  affirmative. 

"  Glad  to  meet  you  once  again,"  cried  Mr.  Wilkins,  and 
seizing  the  gentleman's  hand  he  shook  it  warmly. 

Mr.  Patterson  could  not  be  brought  to  remember  the  familiar 
face  of  Mr.  Wilkins.  although  that  gentleman  pointed  out,  by 
means  of  an  imaginary  diagram,  which  he  drew  with  the  toe 
of  his  boot  on  the  floor,  the  exact  location  and  relative  posi- 
tions of  the  gentleman  and  himself  on  the  particular  2od  of 
May.  He  even  went  so  far  as  to  repeat  the  very  language 
which  Count  Seidelitz  used  on  the  occasion  of  their  introduction, 
and  described,  in  precise  lang-uage,  how  his  friend  was  stand- 
ing beneath  the  shade  of  a  tree,  with  one  foot  resting  on  a 
bench  and  a  malacca  cane  under  his  arm,  at  the  very  moment 
the  introduction  took  place.  Quite  a  group  had  collected 
around  the  gentlemen,  attracted  by  ]Mr,  Wilkins' s  singular 
appearance  and  animated  manner,  and  this  made  that  gentle- 
man anxious  that  he  should  be  acknowledged.  At  length 
the  gentleman  did  think  that  he  had  a  faint  recollection  of 
the  matter,  which  Mr.  Wilkins  at  once  clinched  by  saying, 
'^Certainly  you  have,"  and  resumed  the  hand-shaking. 


THE  CORPS   OF   OTiSEIiVATIOy.  93 

This  was  the  point  that  Mr.  Wilkins  had  been  watching 
for,  and  taking  the  gentleman  by  the  arm  lie  insisted  on  Mr. 
Patterson  joining  him  in  a  short  "  eommodieum,'"  and  bowing 
to  the  group  which  surrounded  him,  he  absolutely  compelled 
his  new  acquaintance  to  show  him  to  the  refreshment-saloon 
and  there  help  him  to  some  liquor  and  drink  to  Auld  Lang 
Syne.  From  this  moment  he  was  once  more  "  a  man  of  the 
world."  He  managed  to  impress  in  a  mysterious  way  all  who 
came  in  contact  with  him  of  the  importance  of  the  secret 
service,  and  he  enjoined  on  all  who  learned  his  name  that  he 
desired  to  remain  entirely  and  completely  incog. ^  and  as  an 
evidence  of  his  sincerity,  he  pointed,  with  no  little  gravity,  to 
his  dress,  which  was  certainly  calculated  to  impress  all  who 
saw  it  with  the  idea  that  it  was  either  intended  as  a  disguise 
or  that  the  wearer  was  a  lunatic.  To  jMr.  Wilkins  this  made 
no  particular  difference.  It  had  been  selected  by  Messrs. 
AVontus  and  Nidd,  and  he  felt  that  whatever  odium  was  at- 
tached to  it,  all  of  it  certainly  belonged  to  them. 

How  many  times  he  endeavored  to  find  a  partner,  and  how 
many  times  he  was  refused,  and  how  many  times  he  solaced 
himself  by  visiting  the  refreshment-saloon,  I  cannot  undertake 
to  say,  but  the  times  were  certainly  numerous.  The  more  he 
was  refused  the  more  he  pressed  himself,  until,  at  length,  his 
importunities  became  almost  unbearable.  He  felt  that  he  was 
not  understood,  or  at  least  not  appreciated  ;  and  where  he 
would  have  stopped  can  never  be  recorded,  for  it  transpired  in 
course  of  time  that  Mr.  Wontus  indignantly  denied,  in  his 
conversation  with  the  brigadier,  that  either  he  or  any  of  his 
party  belonged  to  the  secret  service,  and  to  make  assurances 
doubly  sure,  he  further  said  that  any  man  who  said  that  he  or  any 
of  his  party  belonged  to,  or  had,  in  any  manner,  the  remotest 
connection  with  the  service,  was  an  impostor  and  should  be 
kicked.  This  becoming  noised  about,  taken  in  connection 
with  Mr.  Wilkins's  excessive  "freshness,"  soon  brought  that 
gentleman  in  the  midst  of  a  throng  of  excited  and  angry  men, 
who  insisted  on  his  leaving  the  room  at  once.  Mr.  Wilkins 
would  argue  the  point  with  them.  He  belonged  to  Mr. 
'  Wontus's  party,  and  that  gentleman,  or  Mr.  Nidd,  could  prove 
him  to  be  anything  else  than  an  impostor.  They  laughed  at 
him,  and  quoted  Mr.  Wontus's  language  used  to  the  brigadier. 
He  asked  to  be  allowed  to  seek  Mr.  Nidd  or  Mr.  Wontus,  but 


94  WOXTUS,  OR 

they  would  hear  nothing  except  his  immediate  departure, 
Mr.  Wilkins  was  becoming  dejected.  A  sight  met  his  gaze, 
it  was  Nidd  with  the  three  F's  hanging  on  his  arm.  Mr. 
Wilkins  called  to  him,  but  Mr.  Nidd  was  deaf  to  all  but  the 
charming  voice  of  the  F's.  The  situation  became  desperate. 
He  must  see  Mr.  Nidd, — that  gentleman  could  untangle  the 
matter.  He  undertook  to  fly  to  his  side,  but  the  undertaking 
was  misunderstood  to  be  an  effort  to  escape,  and  a  dozen  hands 
took  hold  of  him.  He  struggled,  and  more  hands  took  hold. 
The  tucks  in  his  pants  commenced  giving  way,  and  the  towels, 
etc.,  began  to  show  signs  of  uneasiness. 

"  Out  with  him  !"  was  shouted  on  all  sides;  and  just  at  a 
most  critical  moment,  when  his  pantaloons  appeared  to  have  a 
desire  to  take  leave  of  his  pereon,  and  the  filling  of  his  breast 
had  sought  a  resting-place  under  his  right  arm,  he  was  raised 
from  the  floor  and  conveyed — one  grand,  struggling  mass  of 
ill-assorted  clothes — to  the  door  and  thence  down  the  stairs, 
where  he  was  liberated  and  directed  to  depart.,  amid  the 
laughter  and  jeers  of  the  company. 

It  was  rather  late  when  Mr.  Wontus  and  Nidd  arrived  at 
the  hotel,  and  they  expressed  considerable  astonishment  whoa 
they  found  that  Mr,  Wilkins  had  reached  there  before  them. 
He  pleaded  sickness  as  the  cause  of  his  leaving  the  assembly 
so  unceremoniously,  and  as  the  gentlemen  were  in  utter  igno- 
rance as  to  the  true  cause,  the  party  soon  after  retired. 


CHAPTER  YIII. 


DOMICILES    THE   CORPS    IN    THE    CAPITAL    OF    THE    NATION, 
AND    TREATS    OF    SICKNESS,  LOVE,  AND    OTHER  THINGS. 

Nothing  of  particular  interest  transpired  during  the  re- 
maining time  that  the  corps  spent  in  the  Monumental  City. 
Mr.  Wilkins  was  entirely  recovered  from  his  sickness  the  next 
morning,  and  the  party  were  all  enjoying  the  most  excellent 
health  and  spirits.  The  more  Mr.  Wontus  saw  of  the  world 
the  better  he  liked  it,  nnd  Mr.  Nidd,  although  less  expressive, 
was  none  the  less  charmed  by  the  novelty  of  being  entirely 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  95 

free  from  care.  That  Mr.  Thomson  was  delighted,  certainly 
none  who  have  noticed  his  fidelity  to  Mr.  Wontiis  can  question. 
The  morning  at  length  arrived  for  the  corps  to  take  its  de- 
parture, and  it  bid  adieu  to  Baltimore  witli  feelings  akin  to 
re*^ret. 

"As  they  passed  along  in  the  cars  toward  the  capital  of  the 
nation,  Mr.  Wontus  could  scarcely  restrain  himself  from  ask- 
ing the  conductor  to  stop  the  train,  that  he  might  converse 
wi'th  and  assist  the  soldiers  who  guarded  every  mile  of  the 
road.  It  was  the  first  real  indication  of  war  that  he  had  seen, 
and  the  tenderest  emotions  of  his  sympathetic  bosom  were 
awakened.  The  train  would  not  stop  and  Mr.  Wontus  knew  it, 
so  he  bought  all  the  daily  newspapers  he  could  from  the  news- 
dealer on  "the  train,  and  as  he  passed  along  he  dropped  them 
from  the  window,  that  the  lonely  guardians  of  his  peace  and 
safety  might  at  least  know  that  they  were  remembered.  The 
papers  becoming  exhausted,  he  fell  to  throwing  out  money, 
and  although  Mr.  Nidd  expostulated  with  him,  he  persisted 
in  doing  so  until  the  train  moved  into  the  depot  at  Washington. 
The ''depot  of  any  of  the  great  railroad  lines,  during  the 
rebellion,  was  an  object  of  peculiar  interest.  The  strange 
faces;  the  incidents  which  graduated  "from  grave  to  gay, 
from  lively  to  severe,"  were  afiliirs,  not  of  days  or  hours,  but 
of  moments.  Each  click  of  the  clock  pointed  to  a  moment 
preirnant  with  startling  events,  and  faces  marked  with  all  the 
different  passions  which  fill  the  human  breast,  made  up  one 
grand  picture,  which  having  been  once  seen,  can  never  be 
obliterated  by  the  march  of  thue.  That  the  Washington  depot, 
of  the  solitary  line  then  leading  to  that  great  centre,  from 
the  populous  North,  West,  and  East,  should  be  particularly 
noticeable  is  not  surprising. 

G-rief-stricken  mothers  in  search  of  wounded  sons ;  disheart- 
ened wives  in  search  of  missing  husbands ;  bereaved  sisters 
prepared  to  follow  a  loved  soldier-brother  to  a  premature  grave ; 
men  seeking  office ;  politicians  seeking  jobs ;  statesmen,^  soldiers, 
sjamen.  and  men  of  every  cast,  condition,  and  complexion,  were 
here  to  be  seen,  the  whole  a  living  panorama  of  humanity,  done 
in  such  colors  and  shapes  as  to  defy  the  pencil  of  the  most 
astute  artist. 

Each  was  intent  on  the  business  which  brought  him  or  her 
to  this  grand  centre,  and  the  commoner  fbelings  of  respect  and 


96  wo  XT  us,  OR 

love  gave  place  to  one  of  supreme  selfishness.  At  least  Mr. 
Wontus  thought  so,  when  he  observed  the  grand  rush  and  dash 
made  by  each  and  every  individual  to  keep  ahead  of  his  neigh- 
bor, and  reach  the  street. 

Having  reached  the  avenue,  Mr.  Wontus  insisted  on  a  halt, 
and  for  the  space  of  a  few  moments  was  apparently  lost  in 
contemplation  of  the  wondrous  pile  of  marble,  which  stood 
before  him,  and  marked  its  grand  outline  against  the  clear, 
blue  sky. 

"  Have  a  hack,  sir?  Ride  up,  sir?"  greeted  his  ears  in 
showers ;  and  drums  were  beating,  and  armed  men  marching 
in  every  direction,  but  he  was  deaf  to  all ;  his  eyes  were  fixed 
upon  the  Capitol. 

Here  was  where  the  great  men  of  the  nation  assembled ;  here 
it  was  that  speeches  were  uttered  that  made  the  very  earth 
tremble,  and  made  Europe  look  with  undisguised  emotion  upon 
the  infant  nation  of  the  New  World. 

Ah,  it  was  a  great  sight  for  Mr.  Wontus;  it  kindled  emotions 
in  his  bosom  that  were  strangers  there  before,  and  he  longed 
for  the  moment  when  he  should  be  allowed  to  fiill  down  and 
worship  at  the  feet  of  the  great  men,  whose  greatness  stared 
him  full  in  the  fiice  from  the  columns  of  every  newspaper  in 
the  land. 

"  Come  along,"  said  he,  at  length,  '"'we  have  plenty  of  time 
before  us  (it  was  not  yet  noon)  ;  we  can  let  our  baggage  re- 
main in  the  hands  of  the  express  company  until  we  are  ready 
to  send  for  it."  And  leading  the  way  himself,  the  corps 
passed  along  up  the  avenue  without  seeming  to  have  the  re- 
motest idea  as  to  where  they  were  likely  to  halt. 

Reaching  Second  Street,  Mr.  Wontus  took  a  hasty  survey 
of  the  conservatory,  where  everybody,  except  those  who  pay 
for  it,  are  permitted  to  gather  flowers,  and  expressed  a  desire 
to  pay  it  a  visit.  Mr.  Nidd  suggested  that  they  return  to 
Baltimore,  and  was  answered  by  an  incredulous  look  from 
Mr.  Wontus. 

"  Fine  woman — splendid  !"  said  Nidd,  half  aloud. 

Mr.  Wontus  looked  in  every  direction,  but  not  seeing  any- 
body particularly  fine-looking,  cast  a  glance  at  his  friend,  and 
asked,  ''Where?"      He  was  compelled  to  repeat  his  question. 

"Baltimore!"  said  Mr.  Nidd.  coolly. 

"The  three  F's  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  laughing,  the  truth 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  97 

darting  into  his  mind.  "Come,  old  boy,"  he  continued, 
punching  Mr.  Nidd  in  the  side  with  his  thumb,  "  this  will 
never  do." 

But  whither  were  they  to  turn  their  footsteps?  None 
knew,  and  they  stood  on  the  sidewalk  in  a  condition  of  uncer- 
tainty bordering  on  uneasiness. 

"Must  have  some  place,"  said  Mr.  Wilkins,  ramming  his 
hand  first  into  one  pocket  and  then  into  another,  and  then  re- 
turning to  the  first  one  and  turning  it  inside  out,  and  repeat- 
ing the  same  process  with  his  other  pockets  in  regular  order. 

"Must  have  some  place,"  echoed  Mr.  Wontus,  abstractedly, 
and  then  he  silently  contemplated  Mr.  Wilkins  in  the  process 
of  turning  his  pockets  inside  out.  "What's  the  matter?"  he 
asked,  at  length. 

"Nothing  partic'lar,"  said  Mr.  Wilkins,  growing  more  in- 
dustrious than  ever. 

"What  are  you  looking  for?"  asked  Mr.  Wontus,  corn- 
man  din  gly. 

Mr.  Wilkins  hesitated  for  some  time  before  replying,  but  at 
length  faltered  out,  in  an  apologetic  way,  that  he  thought  he 
had  some  money,  but  he  believed  he  hadn't,  after  all. 

"Money?"  said  Mr.  Wontus.  "What  do  you  want  with 
money?" 

This  was  what  Mr.  Wilkins  had  been  fishing  for, — the  ques- 
tion, not  the  money,  for  he  knew  he  had  none  of  the  latter, — • 
and  he  quickly  replied  : 

"You  see,  sir,  if  I  could  go  into  one  of  these  saloons  and 
ask  the  landlord,  it  might  be  that  he  could  tell  me  where  to 
find  rooms;  but  I  don't  like  to  go  in  without  taking  some- 
thing. I  was  just  lookin'  to  see  if  I  couldn't  raise  enough  for 
a  short  'commodicum.'  " 

"A  good  idea,"  said  Mr.  Nidd. 

"Very,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  comprehending;  and  handing 
IMr.  Wilkins  a  quarter,  he  directed  him  to  see  what  could  be 
done. 

The  money  once  in  Wilkins's  hand,  that  gentleman  lost  no 
time  in  finding  his  way  into  a  neighboring  saloon,  from  which 
he  emerged  in  a  few  moments,  his  face  beaming  with  undis- 
guised satisfaction,  and  a  card  in  his  hand. 

"Got  a  place?"  asked  Mr.  Nidd. 

"Splendid!" 
E  9 


93  WOXTUS,  OR 

"Where?"  asked  Mr.  Wontus,  with  interest. 

''  No.  — ,  D  Street,  two  rooms,  ample  accommodations,  widow 
"woman,  cheap,  ver}'  private,  central,  all  hunkey." 

And  without  allowing  time  for  any  questions  to  be  asked, 
Mr.  Wilkins  leads  the  way  briskly  up  the  avenue  to  Third 
Street,  and  up  Third  to  D  Street,  on  which  street,  with  great 
fiimiliarity,  he  walked  up  to  a  door  and  rang  the  bell.  A 
lady  waited  on  the  door.  The  business  being  explained,  the 
party  was  admitted,  and  after  the  rooms  had  been  examined  a 
bargain  was  struck,  and  3Ir.  Wilkins  dispatched  to  the  express 
office  for  the  baggage. 

"]Moxley  must  be  seen  immediately,"  said  Mr.  Wontus; 
"he  can  put  us  on  the  ri^ht  course." 

'•Certainly,"  said  Mr.  Nidd. 

The  two  gentlemen  were  sitting  in  one  of  their  two  rooms, 
looking  out  of  the  window,  and  Thomas  Thomson  was  survey- 
ing the  various  articles  of  furniture  and  the  pictures  that 
graced  the  wall. 

"  Better  leave  it  until  to-mon'ow,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  and  Mr. 
Wontus  making  no  objection,  it  was  agreed  that  the  visit  to 
Mr.  Wontus's  friend  (Mr.  31oxley),  who  was  a  clerk* in  one  of 
the  departments,  but  which  one  Mr.  Wontus  was  unable  to 
say,  should  be  postponed  until  the  following  day. 

The  latitude  of  Washington  is  particularly  agreeable  in  the 
spring,  because  there  is  little  or  no  monotony  about  it.  The 
clerk  of  the  weather  seems  to  have  been  particularly  instructed 
with  respect  to  the  latitude  of  Washington,  and  impressed 
with  the  fact  that  the  residents  belong  pretty  generally  to  that 
class  who  desire  variety.  Hence  it  is  never  very  warm  or  very 
cold,  or  very  sunshiny  or  very  cloudy,  very  long  at  a  time,  but 
agreeably  alternates  between  the  different  conditions.  Some- 
times, however,  with  a  little — just  a  little — favoritism  toward 
one  or  the  other  of  the  four. 

It  had  been  clear  and  pleasant  when  the  party  arrived  at  the 
capital,  but  while  Mr.  Wontus  and  Mr.  Nidd  were  looking  out 
of  the  window  the  sky  became  suddenly  overcast  with  clouds, 
and  this  was  soon  followed  by  such  a  storm  of  rain  as  is  seldom 
seen  on  this  side  of  the  tropics.  The  gentlemen  looked  on  in 
silence. 

"  I  reckon  it'll  rain,"  said  Mr.  Thomson,  approaching  the 
window  and  looking  out   at  the  rain,  which  came  down  as 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  99 

tlioiigli  each  stream  was  poured  through  a  funnel.  ^Ir.  Nidd 
gave  the  speaker  a  look  of  disgust,  and  Mr.  Wontus  became 
suddenly  interested  in  his  right  foot. 

"  Gout?"  said  Nidd,  looking  at  the  foot. 

"  Rheumatics,  I  think,"  said  Mr.  Wontus.  "  Terrible  cli- 
mate ;  Tommy,  have  a  fire  made  here  as  soon  as  possible; 
roast  a  man  one  hour  and  freeze  him  the  next.  Oh,  oh,  oh  !" 
cried  Mr.  Wontus,  seizing  his  foot  with  both  ha;ids  and  twist- 
ing his  mouth  and  eyes  so  as  to  make  flices  which  the  clown  in 
a  pantomime  would  be  delighted  to  imitate.  "  Had  it  bad 
before,  but  never  so  bad  as  this."  And  again  he  indulged  in 
numerous,  long-drawn-out  pronunciations  of  the  vowel  0. 

Mr.  Nidd,  contraiy  to  custom,  proffered  his  sympathies,  and 
Tommy  ran  about  the  room  like  a  madman,  seeking  for  some- 
thing with  which  to  alleviate  Mr.  Wontus's  pain.  "  What 
shall  I  do?"  he  cried. 

"  Go  to  the  devil — for  a  doctor!"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  look- 
ing up  at  his  servant  with  enraged  eyes. 

Had  Mr.  Wontus  directed  Thomas  to  proceed  directly  to  the 
top  of  the  dome  of  the  Capitol  and  there  take  his  stand  on  a 
single  and  particular  hair  on  the  head  of  Miss  America  (who 
surveys  her  vast  domain  from  that  position),  Thomas  would 
gladly  have  undertaken  the  rather  difficult  task ;  as  it  was,  the 
order  to  go  to  his  satanic  majesty  for  a  doctor  was  fixed  in  his 
mind  theoretically,  and  it  never  occurred  to  him  that  it  was 
very  nearly  impossible  to  execute  the  command  literally  until 
he  had  reached  the  street.  Once  there,  he  was  in  a  worse 
quandary  than  ever.  He  had  a  very  erroneous  idea  in  his 
head  that  Mr.  Wontus,  his  guardian,  almost  father,  was  going 
to  die,  and  this  lent  its  wings  to  his  steps,  and  he  flew  to  the 
first  door  that  came  in  his  way  and  asked  for  a  doctor.  It  is 
hard  to  go  amiss  in  a  search  for  the  disciples  of  ^sculapius 
nowadays.  In  this  instance,  Mr.  Thomson's  call — the  first 
door — was  rewarded  by  a  young  gentleman  promising  to  be 
with  Mr.  Wontus  in  a  few  moments.  And  he  was  as  good  as 
his  word,  for  Tommy  had  scarcely  given  answer  to  the  questions 
that  were  showered  upon  him  than  the  door-bell  rang  and 
the  doctor  was  shown  in. 

"  Don't  make  an  infernal  blunder  and  call  it  gout,"  cried 
Mr.  Wontus,  interspersing  his  remarks  with  numerous  large 
and  small  O's,  as  the  professional  gentleman  examined  his  foot. 


100  WON  TVS,   OB 

The  physician  whom  Tommy  had  called  in  to  see  Mr.  Won- 
tas  had  evidently  taken  one  or  more  lessons  in  "  acumen,"  and 
the  disease  was  accordin<rly  pronounced  an  acute  rheumatism. 
Giving  a  few  directions  as  to  the  treatment  of  the  foot,  the 
doctor  passed  judgment  on  the  weather — as  is  usual — and 
bowed  himself  out,  promising  to  call  again  in  the  morning.  It 
is  a  little  singular,  but  nevertheless  noticeable  at  least,  that 
the  presence  and  opinion  of  a  physician  generally  bring-s  with 
it  a  more  comfortable  feeling  on  the  part  of  the  patient,  and 
Mr.  Wontus  was  no  exception  to  the  rule.  He  felt  easier  the 
moment  the  doctor  entered  the  door,  and  when  he  departed 
the  patient  was  loud  in  his  praise  of  the  gentleman's  great 
ability  and  discernment. 

Mr.  "Wontus  had  the  gout ! 

To  be  thus  crippled  at  the  very  outset,  and  amid  such  stir- 
ring scenes  as  were  constantly  transpiring  almost  within  their 
hearing,  was  a  matter  which  weighed  heavily  on  the  corps. 
Mr.  Wontus,  at  best,  could  but  hobble  about  his  room  with 
the  assistance  of  a  chair ;  yet,  while  he  deeply  deplored  his 
own  situation,  he  also  sympathized  with  the  other  membei-s 
of  the  party,  and  insisted  on  their  going  out  and  enjoying 
themselves,  and  they  did  as  Mr.  Wontus  requested. 

For  the  first  day  or  two  the  invalid  moaned  and  groaned  in 
solitude  and  without  complaint,  but  on  the  third  day  he 
became  peevish,  and  avowed  that  nobody  cared  anything  about 
him.  Of  course,  each  member  individually  denied  the  soft 
impeachment.  Mr.  Wilkins  was  particularly  verbose  in  ex- 
plaining how  it  came  that  he  had  not  given  Mr.  Wontus  the 
attention  he  desired  to.  There  were  so  many  high  officers  of 
the  army  and  navy  about  the  city  that  he  found  that  it  would 
be  greatly  to  the  corps'  advantage  in  the  future  for  him  to 
cultivate  their  acquaintance.  Mr.  Wontus  groaned  assent,  and 
the  corps  went  on  as  before,  with  the  honorable  exception  of 
Thomas  Thomson,  who,  by  dint  of  great  perseverance,  managed 
to  spare  time  enough  to  attend  to  his  master  during  the  moments 
of  leisure  allowed  him  by  Mr.  Wilkins.  who  insisted  on  Thomas 
accompanying  him,  and  waiting  at  a  little  distance,  during  the 
first-named  gentleman's  visits  to  the  difierent  dignitaries. 

Mr.  Wontus  promised  a  large  reward  to  the  doctor  if  he 
would  make  him  well  in  '•  short  metre,"  and  the  doctor  prom- 
ised that  he  would;    but  his  acumen  taught  him  that  the 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  JQI 

moment  his  patient  was  well  that  moment  his  fees  ceased,  and 
as  doctors,— youno-  doctors,— like  other  people,  do  not  wish  to 
give  up  a  o-ood  tliiuu-,  Mr.  Wontus  was  destined  to  take  name- 
less quantities  of  medicine  and  undergo  sundry  operations,  all 
of  which  displayed  the  skill  of  the  doctor,  if  it  did  nothing  more. 

How  long  a  modest,  unobtrusive,  uninquiring  gentleman 
might  live  in  any  one  of  the  numerous  lodging-houses  of 
Washington  without  knowing  who  lived  in  the  room  above,  or 
below,  or  on  either  side  of  him,  is  but  a  matter  of  conjecture; 
and  this  brings  me  to  the  duty  of  recording  the  fact  that  one 
day,  while  Mr.  Wontus  was  in  his  room  alone  and  unattended 
by  any  one,  a  soft  knocking  came  at  his  door.  It  was  an  un- 
usual occurrence,  and,  with  some  pain  and  not  a  little  trouble, 
he  reached  the  door  and  opened  it.  A  pair  of  wondering 
eyes,  looking  from  a  fresh,  handsome  little  face,  which  face 
Wiis  surrounded  by  a  mass  of  crisp,  curly  hair,  looked  up  into 
his  face,  and  stood  still  in  innocent  bewilderment.  It  is  a 
part  of  such  natures  as  that  of  Mr.  Wontus  to  be  fond  of 
children,  and  the  moment  he  caught  sight  of  the  child  the 
painful  frown,  which  a  moment  before  had  taken  possession 
of  his  brow,  gave  place  to  a  smile  and  a  look  of  love,  and  he 
urged  the  child  to  come  into  his  room,  That  he  would  have 
succeeded  in  securing  the  company  of  his  little  visitor  there 
can  be  no  doubt  in  the  minds  of  those  who  know  how  kindly 
he  could  look  when  he  wanted  to ;  but  a  weak,  feminine  voice 
frustrated  his  plans  by  calling  the  child  to  come  up-stairs. 

Mr.  Wontus  was  astonished.  That  he  had  a  neighbor 
whose  presence  he  knew  not  of  until  just  now  was  unmTstak- 
able,  and  as  the  child  commenced  climbing  the  stairs,  he  shut 
the  door  and  threw  himself  on  the  bed.  Absence  from  ex- 
citement to  one  who  has  been  accustomed  to  it  will  make  the 
dullest  mind  curious,  and  as  Mr.  Wontus  lay  on  the  bed  his 
thoughts  turned  to  the  voice,  and  his  curiosity  demanded  the 
satisfaction  of  knowing  who  it  belonged  to.  From  that  mo- 
ment he  ceased  to  be  peevish,  and  iiistead  of  complaining  at 
the  want  of  attention  on  the  part  of  the  members  of  the  corps 
he  insisted  that  they  should  go  out  and  enjoy  themselves,  and 
made  sundry  advances  on  Mr.  Wilkins's  pay,  to  allow  that 
gentleman  a  wider  and  more  influential  sphere  of  action. 

Hour  by  hour  he  sat  there  alone,  thinking  of  that  voice, 
and  imagining  all  sorte  of  situations  that  that  voice  might  fall 


102  WOXTUS,  OR 

into,  bj  which  it  (the  voice)  would  be  compelled  to  call  on 
him  for  assistance.  His  mental  condition  was  similar  to  that 
governing  passion  in  Mrs.  Toodles.  He  mi^Jit  be  at  the  door, 
and  the  voice  might  tumble  down-stairs,  and  then  it  would  be 
his  duty  to  pick  it  up ;  or  he  might  be  taken  suddenl}^  ill,  and 
the  voice  might  hear  him  and  rush  to  his  assistance.  These 
and  a  great  many  more  situations  of  similar  import  passed 
through  his  mind,  but  still  nothing  transpired  out  of  the  usual 
routine.  If  the  mother  had  eyes  like  the  child  he  should  love 
her ;  he  felt  that  that  was  a  fixed  fact,  but  he  kept  his 
secret,  and  the  corps  was  none  the  wiser,  at  least  not  then. 

A  day  passed,  and  still  another.  The  doctor  found  that 
Mr.  Wontus's  foot  would  convalesce  in  spite  of  him,  and  as  the 
weather  was  now  clear  and  mild,  the  patient  was  advised  to 
tiike  a  little  exercise  in  the  fresh  air.  To  the  utter  astonish- 
ment of  all,  Mr.  Wontus  flatly  declined  to  do  anything  of  the 
kind,  and  pleaded  a  probable  relapse.  Mr.  Xidd  brought  forth 
the  most  seductive  arguments,  and  Mr.  AVilkins  grew  eloquent 
over  the  sights  that  were  to  be  seen  and  enjoyed ;  but  Mr. 
Wontus  was  deaf  and  blind  to  all  the  charms  spread  before 
him,  and,  besides,  insisted  that  the  other  members  of  the  corps 
should  go  out  and  enjoy  themselves  to  their  fullest  desire.  He 
was  very  comfortable,  and  since  the  pain  had  almost  left  his 
foot  he  rather  enjoyed  remaining  in  the  house.  It  was  very 
sly  in  the  old  gentleman  to  do  that,  and  he  felt  that  he  was 
playing  the  part  of  a  hypocrite,  but  then  he  didn't  know  what 
might  happen,  and  he  excused  and  justified  himself  on  the 
ground  that  it  was  all  for  the  best. 

During  the  hours  that  the  friends  were  in-doors  Mr.  Wontus's 
foot  appeared  to  be  seriously  influenced  by  their  presence,  for  at 
such  times  it  was  full  of  shooting  pains,  which,  strange  to  say,  shot 
ofi"  entirely  the  moment  the  foot  was  relieved  of  their  presence. 

War  demoralizes  a  great  many  people,  and  it  looks  just  now 
as  if  the  demoralizing  fever  had  taken  serious  hold  of  Mr. 
Wontus,  for  up  to  now  he  has  proven  himself  on  all  occasions 
to  be  a  mai^  of  sterling  integrity  and  truth.     But — 

"  Love  is  full  of  unbefitting  strains, 
All  wanton  as  a  child,  skipping  and  vain  ; 
Formed  by  the  eye,  and  therefore  like  the  eye  ; 
Full  of  sti-ange  shapes,  of  habits,  and  of  forms." 

We  take  it,  therefore,  that  Mr.  Wontus  was  in  love.     With 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  103 

whom  ?  A  fantasia ;  a  tiling  of  the  imagination  ;  a  heing  that 
ho  had  never  laid  eyes  on.  But  how  was  he  to  make  "  its  " 
acfjiiaintance  ?  This  question  he  asked  himself  a  score  of  times, 
and  each  time  left  it  unanswered.  Should  he  buy  a  flute  and 
serenade  beneath  her  window,  or,  what  was  better,  at  the  foot 
of  the  stairs?  Injudicious,  because  more  than  one  person 
might  claim  the  serenade  ;  impracticable,  because  he  had  never 
played  a  note  in  his  life.  Should  he  hire  the  Marine  Band  ? 
No,  that  would  create  inquiry.  A  happy  thought  struck  him  : 
he  would  write  her  a  sonnet. 

With  great  preparation  he  seated  himself  at  the  table  with 
paper  and  ink  before  him.  He  dipped  the  pen  into  the  ink, 
and  was  about  to  write,  when  it  occurred  to  him  that  he  did 
not  know  "  its  "  (for  thus  he  termed  the  charming  unknown) 
name.  He  would  write  to  "  its  "  eyes  !  Again  he  dipped  his 
pen.  But  what  color  were  "its"  eyes?  Blue,  black,  brown, 
gray,  hazel,  or  a  combination  of  all  the  shades?  Again  he 
faltered,  and  his  face  assumed  a  grave  and  thoughtful  expres- 
sion. Now  came  desperation.  Yes,  he  would  write  !  Black 
was  his  favorite  color,  and  per  consequence  "it"  must  have 
black  eyes.  Were  they  large  and  expressive,  or  small  and  dull? 
He  dismissed  the  thought  w^ith  an  expletive,  and  sat  with  the 
paper  before  him.  But  the  Muses  would  not  come  at  his  call, 
and  he  essayed  again  and  again ;  "  I  would  give"  was  as  far 
as  he  could  get.  In  vain  he  walked  the  floor  and  ran  his  fingers 
through  his  hair.  The  inspiration  had  flown,  and  he  was  just 
considering  whether  he  should  send  anything  at  all,  when  a 
gentle  tap  came  at  the  door  and  set  his  heart  all  a  flutter.  "  It  " 
was  there  !  that  knock  was  a  woman's ;  and,  with  marvelous 
speed,  the  paper  was  snatched  from  the  table  and  consigned  to 
the  closet,  and  things  generally  put  out  of  sight. 

"  Come  in  !"  cried  the  gentleman,  throwing  himself  into  a 
chair,  and  belying  his  looks  by  trying  to  appear  disinterested 
and  unconcerned. 

The  landlady  made  her  appearance,  and  a  shade  of  displeasure 
jassed  over  Mr.  Wontus's  countenance. 

"Excuse  me,  sir,"  said  the  lady. 

"Certainly,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  demurely.     "Walk  in." 

"  I  called,"  ccntinucd  the  lady,  "  to  ask  you  if  you  wouldn't 
allow  your  men  to  come  up  and  assist  me  in  moving  some  of 
the  furniture  in  the  room  above.     I  have  a  sick  lady  there, — 


104  woxTus,  on 

poor  thing!  I'm  afraid  she's  going  to  die, — and  she  wants  to 
be  able  to  see  out  of  the  window  from  her  bed." 

"  Have  mj  men  ?  Certainly  not,  madam  !"  cried  Mr.  Won- 
tus,  springing  to  his  feet,  with  sympathy  marked  on  every 
lineament  of  his  countenance.  '•  Have  ray  men  !  You  shall 
have  me,  madam  !"  And  despite  the  landlady's  efforts  to  dis- 
suade him,  Mr.  Wontus  would  hear  of  nothing  but  the  ac- 
ceptance of  his  personal  services. 

If  it  is  true  that  '*  sympathy  is  akin  to  love,"  then  it  should 
fjllow  that  love  was  akin  to  sympathy  ;  but  since  it  makes  no 
material  difference,  I  take  leave  of  the  argument  which  might 
be  brought  to  bear  on  the  question,  and  proceed  to  relate  the 
fact  that,  without  exactly  knowing  how,  Mr.  Wontus  found 
himself  in  the  apartment  above  his  own. 

Deeply  sympathetic  at  all  times,  Mr.  Wontus  took  a  survey 
of  the  meanly-furnished  room,  with  its  rickety  bedstead  and 
pallid  occupant,  and  the  exultant,  expectant  look  of  love  which 
had  a  moment  before  oversf)read  his  countenance  suddenly 
gave  place  to  one  of  commiseration  and  sorrow.  His  heart 
was  too  full  for  utterance,  and  his  eyes  were  either  riveted 
upon  the  bed  or  wandering  from  the  bed  to  the  prattling  child 
at  the  window.  The  day  was  bright  and  beautiful  without, 
but  the  heavy  though  ragged  curt<iins  which  shaded  the  soli- 
tary dormer-window  threw  an  additional  gloom  over  the 
already  gloomy  attic.  Coarse,  well-worn  strips  of  dirty  carpet 
covered  the  floor ;  two  or  three  broken  chairs  and  a  high,  old- 
fashioned  bureau  stood  like  spectres  in  different  parts  of  the 
room  ;  a  small  stove  and  a  table  by  the  bedside  completed  the 
inventory.  Mr.  Wontus  was  not  accustomed  to  the  sight  of 
poverty  and  misery,  and  as  he  assisted  in  placing  the  furniture 
a  crystal  tear  came  stealing  into  his  eye.  His  thoughts  were 
busy  with  plans  for  the  alleviation  of  the  suffering  woman, 
who  thanked  him  with  her  great  black  eyes  in  language  which 
no  words  could  express.  Quickly,  as  if  actuated  by  some  sud- 
den resolve,  he  drew  out  his  wallet,  and  as  he  placed  a  note  in 
the  dainty  fingers  he  kissed  the  ruby  lips  of  the  child.  The 
tear  was  gone,  but  he  blushed  as  he  caught  sight  of  the  land- 
lady's eye  fixed  inquiringly  on  his.  No  word  escaped  his  lips, 
save  a  few  almost  inaudible  expressions  for  the  improvement 
of  the  sufferer,  and  he  walked  from  the  room  and  sought  the 
privacy  of  his  own  apartment. 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  105 

It  can  never  be  known  what  INIr.  Wontiis's  thou-lits  really 
were  on  this  occasion,  but  since  he  felt  it  necessary  to  take 
Thomas  Thomson  into  his  confidence,  and  made  a  regular 
pack-horse  of  that  gentleman  in  transportmg  provisions  coal, 
and  other  necessities  to  the  room  above,  it  is  reasonable  to 
believe  that  there  was  something  of  importance  on  his^mind 
Day  after  day  he  visited  the  sick-room,  bringing  light  and 
pleasure  with  him,  until  he  finally  commenced  to  believe  what 
he  had  never  believed  before,  and  that  was  that  he  was  ot 
some  use  in  the  world  after  all.  Such  was  the  delicacy  of  his 
thoudits  that  the  other  members  of  the  corps  Tommy  ex- 
cepted, were  kept  in  ignorance  of  the  facts,  although  their 
suspici^ons  were  aroused,  and  during  all  his  visits  to  the  invalid 
he  had  never  so  much  as  inquired  her  name  or  her  history. 
He  had  thought  of  it  often,  and  one  evening,  while  iommy 
was  busy  at  the  fire,  he  ventured  to  ask  of  the  ady  a  recital 
of  her  troubles.  What  afterwards  occurred  will  find  a  place 
in  another  chapter. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  SICK  woman's  STORY— THE  RIVALS— LOVE— HATE- 
MATRIMONY  —  MISFORTUNE— A  MAN  WHICH  WONTUS 
THINKS    HE    KNOWS — THE  ARREST. 

Mr.  Wontus  sat  on  a  chair  by  the  bedside  of  the  sick 
woman,  and,  as  this  may  appear  a  little  out  of  the  line  ot 
strict  propriety,  as  it  is  talked  about  in  modern  society,  I  may 
be  excused  for  mentioning  the  fact  that  it  was  not  known  but 
that  the  gentleman  was  married ;  in  fact,  his  appearance  (and 
some  people  judge  by  that)  went  a  great  way  toward  mipress- 
in-  one  with  the  idea  that  he  was  both  a  husband  and  a  father 
At  any  rate,  he  had  been  so  delicate  in  his  attentions,  had 
shown  such  noble  qualities  of  heart  and  mind,  that  the  pro- 
priety of  his  sitting  by  the  sick  woman's  bedside  never  occurred 
to  anybody,  if  I  may  except  the  landlady  who  soemed  to  t.ake 
a  sudden  dislike  to  the  sick  lady  and  pay  her  as  little  attention 
as  was  admissible,  but  at  the  same  time  was  quite  courteous  and 
attentive  to  Mr.  Wontus,  all  of  which  Mr.  Wontus  did  not  notice. 


106  WOXTUS,  OR 

As  the  unfortunate  woman  lay  reclinin£r  upon  her  support 
of  pillows,  smoothed  and  arranged  by  the  kind  hands  of  Mr. 
AVontus,  she  was  beautiful  in  her  misery.  Her  raven  hair, 
blushed  carelessly  back  from  a  noble  forehead,  fell  in  wavy 
masses  upon  the  pillows,  and  gave  to  her  pale  face  a  back- 
ground which  displayed  the  beauty  of  her  features  in  an 
almost  artistic  manner.  Her  mouth  was  small  and  finely 
chiseled,  and  her  lips,  though  pale  and  bloodless,  wore  an 
almost  constant  curl  of  hauteur.  Sickness  and  trouble  had 
rendered  her  the  wreck  of  a  woman  who,  in  her  better  days, 
could,  and  no  doubt  did,  command  the  homage  of  the  courtiers 
and  gallants  of  her  circle.  Her  manner  was  easy  and  ladylike 
under  all  circumstances,  and  she  appeared  to  be  possessed  of 
the  pleasurable  faculty  of  knowing  how  to  make  those  she 
came  in  contact  with  perfectly  at  ease ;  and  Mr.  Wontus  won- 
dered, as  he  sat  there  by  her  side,  that  he  should  feel  much 
more  comfortable  than  he  had  ever  known  himself  to  feel 
before  in  the  society  of  a  woman. 

"  My  story,  sir,"  said  she,  at  length,  "is  but  a  poor  one  at 
best,  and  to  you  may  be  a  thrice-told  tale ;  yet,  if  you  desire 
to  hear  it,  I  will  tell  you."  And  she  looked  at  ]Mr.  Wontus 
with  her  large  eyes,  until  that  gentleman  asked  Tommy  if  it 
wasn't  very  warm,  and  directed  him  to  open  the  stove  door; 
then,  turning  to  the  lady,  he  assured  her  that  he  had  no  de- 
sire to  be  inquisitive,  "but — but " 

He  could  go  no  further, 

"This  terrible  war;  this  wicked  war;  what  misery  has  it 
entailed!"  She  paused,  but  did  not  seem  to  notice  ]Mr.  Won- 
tus's  perplexity.  "  But  for  it — no,  no,  it  would  have  been 
the  same  !"  She  closed  her  eyes  for  a  moment,  and  appeared 
to  be  thinking.  "My  native  place  is  in  Alabama,"'  she  con- 
tinued, her  delicate  white  hand  nei"vously  clutching  the  bed- 
covering,  "and  my  family  are  direct  descendants  of  the  Ogle- 
thorpes,  one  of  the  oldest  families  in  the  State,  sir.  My 
father  was  one  of  the  most  respected  men  in  the  State,  and 
held  many  positions  of  importance  and  honor  by  the  will  of 
the  people, — a  man  of  generous  heart,  a  chivalric  gentleman 
of  the  old  school,  and  so  much  unlike  the  miserable,  grasping 
wretches  who  now  fill  this  cit}',  as  to  seem  to  belong  to  another 
race.  My  mother  died  when  I  was  quite  young,  and,  being 
the  only  child,  every  emotion  of  my  father's  heart  was  cen- 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSEUVATION.  107 

tered  in  me.  I  was  never  sent  to  school,  but  was  educated  at 
home,  under  the  eye  of  my  father,  by  a  governess.  Tliis 
woman,  although  a  native  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  w.iS 
wedded  to  the  South  and  the  Southern  people,  and  her  every 
energy  seems  now  to  have  been  devoted  toward  instilling  into 
my  very  blood  a  love  for  the  institutions  of  my  State  and  a 
disregard  for  the  cringing,  mean-spirited  people  of  the  North. 

"It  may  have  been,"  she  continued,  after  another  pause, 
*'  that  these  principles  were  inculcated  by  the  direction  of  my 
father ;  "but  whether  they  were  or  not,  He  who  reigns  on  high 
knows  that  I  have  lived  to  see  that  chivalry  is  not  confined  to 
the  South  or  meanness  to  the  North." 

;Mr.  Wontus  said  he  guessed  she  was  right,  and  she  continued : 

"  I  was  but  little  over  sixteen  when  I  first  made  the  ac- 
quaintance of  Lathrop  Blakely,  a  young  gentleman  of  fine 
appearance  and  engaging  manners,  a  resident  of  Ohio,  who 
came  to  our  parts  every  season  to  purchase  cotton  for  his 
father's  factory.  It  seems  now,  although  it  did  not  then,  that 
my  father  was  under  many  monetary  obligations  to  Mr. 
Blakely,  for,  while  we  used  to  call  him  a  Yankee  and  an  abo- 
litionist, yet  he  was  always  received  at  my  father's  plantation 
with  the  greatest  courtesy.  He  was  calm  and  mild  in  his 
manners,  and  so  entirely  diiferent  from  the  young  gentlemen 
that  I  had  been  in  the  custom  of  meeting,  that  I  was  pleased 
with  his  attentions  and  charmed  by  his  frank,  open  manner. 
I  felt  that  he  loved  me,  and  only  waited  a  favorable  opportu- 
nity to  make  it  known ;  and  I  knew  that  I  loved  him, — yes, 
loved  him  deeply,  sincerely." 

Mr.  Wontus  sighed  and  took  the  child  upon  his  knee 
(where  it  soon  fell  asleep),  because  he  felt  that  it  was  neces- 
sary that  he  should  do  or  say  something  just  at  that  particular 
moment. 

"  Time  wore  on,"  continued  the  invalid,  "  and  the  happiness 
which  had  filled  my  young  heart  for  nearly  two  years  was  about 
to  be  crowned  by  the  event  of  my  marriage  with  Lathrop 
Blakely  (she  raised  her  hands  to  her  eyes  and  sighed).  Ad- 
joining our  plantation  was  that  of  a  gentleman,  whose  name  I 
shall  not  mention, — a  gentleman  of  equal  standing  and  wealth 
with  my  father, — whose  family  consisted  of  a  daughter  about 
my  age  and  a  son  a  few  years  my  senior.  I  had  danced  and 
ridden  with  this  young  man,  and  admired  him  for  his  bold, 


108  WOXTUS,  OR 

defiant,  and  cliivalric  bearing.  A  man  of  splendid  proportions, 
■with  easy,  crraceful  manners,  and  a  jaunty,  careless  carriage,  he 
■was  just  such  a  man  as  most  girls  would  admire  ;  and  while  I, 
in  common  with  others,  did  admire  him.  yet  I  did  not  love  him. 
Like  all  others  in  our  section,  he  had  been  educated  a  Southron, 
and  if  there  was  anything  that  he  prided  himself  on,  it  was  his 
supeiiority  over  Mr.  Blakely.  I  had  often  listened  to  his  cut- 
ting remarks  concerning  the  birth  and  business  of  my  lover,  and 
also  to  his  vows  of  regard  for  myself  The  first  I  was  accus- 
tomed to  hear  from  childhood,  the  second  I  laughed  over,  and 
never  gave  it  a  moment  of  serious  consideration,  until  one  day 
he  threw  himself  at  my  feet,  vowed  his  love,  and  pleaded  for 
me  to  be  his  -wife.  Up  to  this  moment  life  had  been  but  a 
dream.  I  hesitated,  because  his  flashing  eye  warned  me  of  the 
passion  which  filled  him,  and  at  length  succeeded  in  sending 
him  away  with  an  evasive  answer,  and  without  confessing  my 
love  for  Mr.  Blakely. 

'•  Thus  far  I  had  acted  independently  in  my  aflfairs,  but  the 
moment  my  dream  of  undisturbed  happiness  was  dispelled  I 
sought  the  advice  of  my  father.  He  was  grieved  and  surprised 
at  first,  because,  as  he  said,  it  was  very  well  to  have  business 
with  these  Northerners,  but  to  become  related  to  them  by  mar- 
riage, and  more  particularly  an  abolitionist,  -was  something  he 
could  never  agree  to.  My  grief  at  these  -words  knew  no  bounds. 
I  shut  myself  up  in  my  room  and  refused  to  see  anybody  for 
days,  when  at  length  my  father  insisted  on  me  seeing  my 
neighbor-lover,  and  infonned  me  that  -while  he  could  not  ap- 
prove of  my  marriage  -with  Mr.  Blakely.  yet  it  was  necessary 
that  nothing  should  appear  on  the  surface  at  present,  and  my 
letters  should  be  written  in  the  usual  vein ;  on  the  other  hand, 
he  was  of  the  opinion  that  our  neighbor  was  the  most  fitting 
match,  because  of  his  high-toned  social  standing  in  the  com- 
munity,— his  birth  and  fortune.  Another  thing  was  the  fact 
that  our  plantations  were  adjoining  and  our  negroes  had  inter- 
mamed.  He  did  not  want  to  influence  me.  he  said  ;  but  he 
presented  such  a  doleful  picture  of  Mr.  Blakely,  whose  father 
might  have  been  but  a  laborer,  and  suggested  the  probabilities 
of  the  two  contiguous  plantations  becoming  as  one,  that,  with- 
out appearing  to  do  so,  my  mind  was  half-made  up  as  to  my 
future  conduct  ere  I  had  time  to  think  the  subject  over.  The 
idea  of  being  a  Yankee's  wife  was  new  to  me ;  it  had  never 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  109 

presented  itself  to  me  before  in  that  light,  but  now  that  I  came 
to  think  it  over,  the  very  thought  was  repugnant. 

"  From  that  moment  my  behavior  toward  my  neighbor- 
lover  was  altered.  We  sang  together,  rode  together,  and 
scarcely  a  day  passed  but  we  saw  each  other.  He  was  so  dif- 
ferent from  Mr.  Blakely  that  I  often  wondered  at  myself  when 
I  thought  over  some  of  my  actions ;  but  he  seemed  so  noble, 
was  so  fine-looking,  and  withal  so  gallant,  that  I  almost  com- 
pelled myself  to  love  him  without  knowing  exactly  why,  except 
that  his  family  was  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  country  and  it  was 
my  duty  as  a  Southern  woman. 

"  Up  to  this  time  no  particular  day  had  been  named  for  our 
nuptials.  Letters  had  passed  between  Mr.  Blakely  and  my- 
self as  usual,  but  with  a  certain  ambiguity  on  my  part.  Time 
passed  swiftly  by,  and  the  day  was  drawing  near  for  the  regu- 
lar visit  of  my  affianced.  I  had  nerved  myself  for  the  inter- 
view which  I  knew  must  come,  and  looked  with  confidence  to 
my  new  love  for  support.  He  came  and  we  met.  On  his 
part  all  was  love  and  tenderness ;  on  my  part,  polite  courtesy 
and  the  part  of  a  friend.  I  dared  not  break  off  the  match  sud- 
denly, for  fear  of  injuring  some  of  my  father's  arrangements, 
but  Satan  came  to  my  assistance  and  assisted  me  in  the  task. 

"  He  asked  me  if  I  had  ceased  to  love  him,  and  I  returned 
evasive  replies.  He  wished  me  to  name  the  day  on  which  the 
nuptials  should  be  celebrated,  but  I  laughed  the  matter  off.  I 
had  suddenly  grown  giddy-headed  and  trifling,  and  many  times 
during  his  stay  I  played  the  part  of  a  coquette.  I  would 
listen  to  his  plans  for  our  future,  would  acquiesce  in  them  in 
a  gay,  thoughtless  manner,  and  in  a  moment  after  would  join 
my  neighbor-lover,  and  go  galloping  away  through  the  fields, 
leaving  Mr.  Blakely  to  entertain  himself  as  best  he  might. 
To  none  of  these  actions  did  he  once  object;  occasionally 
twitting  me  with  my  new  fimcy  was  all  the  notice  he  bestowed 
upon  them.  Added  to  this  were  different  slurs  and  inuendoes 
from  my  neighbor-lover  whenever  they  met,  and  I  fancied  at 
times  that  a  spark  of  anger  gathered  in  his  eye.  If  it  did  it 
was  momentary,  and  no  word  of  complaint  escaped  his  lips. 
At  first  this  angered  me,  but  when  I  came  to  remember  our 
relationship  and  witness  his  patient,  loving  manner,  I  could 
but  admire  him,  and  I  felt  my  heart  growing  nearer  and 
nearer  to  him  each  day. 

10 


110  WOXTUS,  OR 

"  It  was  the  latter  end  of  November,  186-.  The  whole 
South  was  in  a  blaze  of  excitement.  An  abolition  President 
had  been  elected ;  the  negroes  were  to  be  set  free ;  a  war  of 
races  was  to  follow,  and  the  people  of  the  South  were  to  be 
trodden  underfoot.  Mr.  Blakely  was  still  with  us,  and  I  fre- 
quently heard  that  the  young  men  of  our  section  had  threat- 
ened him  with  violence.  But  he  did  not  hurry  himself,  and 
I  longed  to  tell  him  of  his  danger,  but  was  prevented  by  fear 
of  the  word  '  traitor.'  December  came.  South  Carolina 
declared  her  independence,  and  the  Southern  men  who  held 
places  in  the  army  and  navy  were  coming  home  to  take  part  in 
the  grand  fight  for  liberty  and  independence.  Still,  Mr. 
Blakely  remained  to  finish  up  his  business  and  to  receive  my 
answer. 

"  Men  waited  on  him  to  have  his  views  on  the  subject,  and 
he  gave  them  without  hesitation,  and  with  so  much  candor 
and  earnestness  that  none  could  dislodge  him.  He  believed 
that  the  whole  affair  would  blow  over  when  the  people  became 
more  familiar  with  the  real  facts  and  the  ambitious  aims  of  the 
demagogues  who  had  set  themselves  up  as  leaders.  He  denied 
that  the  government  desired  to  assail  the  institutions  of  the 
South  in  any  manner,  and  confessed  that  he  had  voted  for 
Lincoln.  These  views  becoming  noised  about,  difierent  gentle- 
men waited  upon  my  father  and  chided  him  for  harboring  such 
an  individual ;  for  myself,  I  could  not  respect,  much  less  love, 
a  man  who  voted  for  Lincoln,  and  I  informed  him  of  my  de- 
termination to  cancel  the  engagement.  He  appealed  to  my 
sense  of  honor,  but  I  was  deaf  alike  to  his  appeals  and  his 
entreaties,  and  left  the  house  to  spend  a  few  days  with  our 
neighbors,  to  rid  myself  of  his  presence." 

Wontus  changed  his  position,  and  seemed  desirous  to  say 
something,  but  no  sound  passed  his  lips,  and  the  invalid  con- 
tinued : 

"  Arriving  at  my  friend's  house,  at  sunset,  I  was  somewhat 
surprised  to  find  groups  of  men  and  horses  in  diflferent  parts 
of  the  lawn,  all  the  men  in  high  glee  over  some  event  of  the 
future  or  of  the  present.  I  passed  into  the  house,  and  there 
found  quite  a  number  of  my  acquaintances,  who  greeted  me  as 
a  Yankee.  I  indignantl}^  inquired  the  cause  for  their  thus 
addressing  me,  and  was  answered  by  my  neighbor-lover  to  the 
efi"ect  that  the  Yankee,  Blakely,  had  insulted  the  Southern 


THE  CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION:  HI 

people ;  that  he  was  a  spy,  and  that  it  had  been  determined 
upon  to  give  him  a  coat  of  tar  and  feathers  and  send  him 
home.  The  hidies  and  gentlemen  were  in  high  spirits,  and 
only  waited  the  coming  of  some  others  who  had  promised  to 
be  present.  As  we  stood  there,  chatting  and  drawing  word- 
pictures  of  the  scene  about  to  take  place,  a  note  was  put  in  my 
hand  from  Mr.  Blakely,  which  informed  me  that  my  treatment 
had  caused  him  to  suddenly  make  up  his  mind  to  return  to 
Ohio,  and  he  would  leave  early  on  the  following  morning, 

"  '  There  !'  I  cried,  walking  to  my  neighbor-lover  and  putting 
the  note  into  his  hands, '  who  says  I'm  a  Yankee  now  ?'  " 

Mr.  Thomson  looked  at  Mr.  Wontus,  and  that  gentleman 
grew  red  in  the  face,  but  neither  uttered  a  word. 

"  It  was  the  first  sacrifice  that  I  made  for  the  South,  sir," 
continued  the  lady,  without  noticing  Mr.  Wontus,  "  and  when 
I  heard  the  shouts  that  greeted  the  reading  of  the  note,  and 
it  was  understood  that  it  was  a  voluntary  offering  from  me,  I 
felt  proud  of  myself  and  my  action. 

"  No  time  was  to  be  lost  or  the  bird  would  be  gone ;  but 
some  of  the  ladies  insisted  on  being  in  the  neighborhood  at 
the  time  the  affair  came  off,  and  finally  the  gentlemen  were 
persuaded  to  take  us  along.  I  was  glad  to  show  them  that  I 
would  and  could  make  a  sacrifice. 

"  The  night  was  clear,  and  the  moon  shone  down  brighter, 
it  seemed  to  me,  than  ever  it  had  done  before.  Our  cavalcade 
was  a  grand  one,  numbering  some  twenty  gentlemen,  mounted 
on  spirited  horses  and  surrounding  the  ladies,  who  rode  in  the 
centre  of  the  line.  I  dared  not  give  myself  time  to  think  of 
what  I  had  done,  so  listened  to  the  music  of  the  horses'  feet, 
and  to  the  plans  to  be  acted  upon  when  we  should  reach  my 
own  home.  Thirty  minutes  brought  us  within  sight  of  the 
house,  and  here  the  troop  separated,  so  as  to  entirely  surround 
the  house  and  prevent  escape,  leaving  a  guard  of  honor  with 
the  ladies,  with  directions  to  proceed  at  once  to  the  house  and 
announce  our  presence." 

"  Very  good  plan,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  dryly. 

"  My  neighbor-lover  was  by  my  side,  and  as  we  rode  along 
he  so  excited  me  with  his  remarks  concerning  my  regard  for 
the  Yankee  that  I  was  ready  to  do  almost  anything  to  convince 
him,  and  all  the  world  besides,  that  I  was  ready  to  make  almost 
any  sacrifice  that  might  be  demanded  of  mo.     I  so  expressed 


112  wo  NT  us,  OR 

myself,  and,  on  alighting  at  my  fjither's  door,  T  was  the  first 
to  rush  in  and  acquaint  Mr.  Blakely  with  the  fact  that  there 
was  no  occasion  for  him  to  fear,  as  our  young  gentlemen  only 
intended  to  provide  him  with  an  appropriate  suit  of  clothes.  I 
shall  never  forget  the  look  that  he  gave  me  as  I  thus  laughingly 
spoke  to  him  of  the  ordeal  he  was  about  to  pass  through. 

"  '  You  are  joking,  Catherine,'  said  he,  at  length,  first  look- 
ing inquiringly  at  my  father,  who  sat  opposite  to  him,  and 
then  glancing  at  me.  I  returned  his  glance  with  a  look  of 
pride  and  defiance,  and  my  father  said  he  feared  that  what  T 
said  was  true,  but  remarked  that  he  was  surprised  that  the 
aiFair  was  to  take  place  now ;  he  had  thought  that  he  would 
have  had  an  opportunity  of  warning  him  of  his  danger,  thus 
giving  him  a  chance  to  get  out  of  the  country ;  he  was  about 
to  tell  him  when  I  entered. 

"  At  first  Mr.  Blakely's  face  wore  a  puzzled,  incredulous 
expression,  but  as  the  clatter  of  hoofs  sounded  on  the  sward, 
and  the  buzz  of  suppressed  conversation  and  laughter  beciime 
more  distinct  in  the  stillness  of  the  night,  his  lips  curled  with 
ill-concealed  scorn,  and  his  blue  eyes  sparkled  and  flashed  like 
living  coals ;  his  very  body  seemed  to  grow  larger. 

"  '  What  am  I  to  do  ?'  he  asked,  rising  from  his  chair,  and 
speaking  in  his  usual  mild  way,  and  again  he  bent  his  gaze 
on  me. 

"  As  he  stood  there  he  looked  noble,  the  perfect  embodiment 
of  a  true  and  manly  courage,  and  I  felt  the  hot  blood  rushing 
to  my  temples.  I  forgot  that  he  was  a  Yankee  ;  I  thought 
only  of  his  goodness,  his  gentleness,  his  afi'ection,  and  at  that 
moment  would  have  given  all  I  possessed  in  the  world  to  have 
had  the  courage  to  throw  mj'self  upon  his  heaving  bosom  and 
swear  anew  my  undying  love  and  devotion. 

"  Oh,  God  !"  she  continued,  after  a  moment's  pause,  during 
which  a  tear  stole  into  Mr.  AYontus's  eye,  and  Tommy  drew 
his  chair  nearer,  "  what  I  suffered  at  that  moment !  Until 
then  I  never  knew  what  love  was ;  pride  had  filled  its  place 
until  the  ti-ying  moment  came,  and  only  then  was  I  able  to 
distinguish  the  difference  between  the  false  and  real.  I  looked 
into  his  eyes  and  read  there  the  mingled  love  and  pain  of  a 
true  heart,  but  I  lacked  the  courage  to  do  right,  and  persisted 
in  forwarding  that  which  my  heart  whispered  was  wrong.  He 
stood  with  one  hand  upon  the  table  awaiting  a  reply.     Ten 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  113 

thousand  thoughts  passed  through  my  head  like  flashing  me- 
teors, but  no  AYords  rose  to  my  Hps. 

'' '  What  does  this  mean  ?'  he  cried,  as  numerous  heavy  foot- 
steps were  heard  in  the  hall.  '  Why  am  I  thus  treated  by  a 
people  whom  I  defy  to  put  a  finger  on  one  action  in  my  life 
other  than  that  which  should  become  an  honorable  man  and  a 
Christian  ?  Would  you  have  me  deny  what  I  believe  to  be 
right?  Have  you  no  respect  for  an  honest  difference  of 
opinion ' 

"  '  Damn  such  opinions  !  we've  had  too  much  of  them  !'  cried 
an  excited  voice,  interrupting  Mr.  Blakely,  as  a  number  of 
men  entered  the  room,  and  ranged  themselves  in  a  semi-circle 
around  the  table.  I  looked  around,  my  neighbor-lover  was  by 
my  side,  but  not  a  syllable  passed  Mr.  Blakely's  compressed 
lips.  Slowly  he  elevated  his  head,  and  then  folding  his  arms 
he  cast  a  glance  about  him,  and  the  momentary  silence  became 
oppressive.  It  was  on  my  lips  to  appeal  for  mercy,  but  fiery 
eyes  were  upon  me,  and  I  hesitated. 

"  '  What  will  you  have  of  me,  gentlemen  ?'  asked  Blakely, 
without  changing  his  position. 

"  My  father  left  the  room. 

" '  We  want  you  to  leave  this  country,'  said  one,  whom  I 
recognized  as  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature. 

"  '  When  ?' 

"'Now!' 

" '  There  is  no  train  until  morning.  I  will  depart  with 
pleasure  then ;  but  first  tell  me,  gentlemen,  why  I  am  visited 
in  this  strange,  mysterious,  and,  I  may  say,  discourteous  man- 
ner.    Have  you  any  reason  for  it  ?' 

"  '  Reason  ?'  cried  the  spokesman,  '  reason  ?  aye,  thousands, 
tens  of  thousands  !  You  are  an  abolitionist ;  you  would  free 
our  niggers,  you  would  murder  and  plunder  the  people  of  the 
South  ;  you  have  robbed  us  for  years,  you  have  insulted  us  in 
the  national  halls  at  Washington.  You  have  wrongfully,  and 
without  the  consent  of  the  people,  elected  a  man  to  the  presi- 
dency. You,  or  your  people,  have  encouraged  our  niggers  to 
run  away  ;  have  hid  them  from  their  rightful  masters  (a  mur- 
mur ran  through  the  assemblage),  and  we  cannot  and  will  not 
have  it  any  longer.  We  are  a  proud  people,  a  brave  and  chival- 
ric  people,  but  in  this  we  are  united :  that  come  weal  or  come  woe, 
we  will  stand  by  South  Carolina  and  her  sisters  forever !'     A 

10* 


114  wo  XT  us,  OR 

wild  shout  rans:  out  upon  the  air  as  the  gentleman  finished. 
I  looked  for  Mr.  Blakelj  to  tremble,  but  he  did  not;  his  face 
wore  the  same  clear,  firm  look,  and  he  said, — 

"  '  I  voted  for  Mr.  Lincoln,  gentlemen,  because  I  believe  him 
to  be  a  pure  and  honest  man,  for  no  other, — but  I  must  deny 
the  other  charges.  I  could  prove  to  you  conclusively  that  you 
are  wrong  in  most  of  your  conclusions ;  that  you  are  the  in- 
struments of  a  wily  set  of  unprincipled  men,  who  seek  to  excite 
your  hatred  for  the  government,  that  their  own  selfish  ends 
may  be  gratified.     But  this  is  neither  time  nor  place ' 

"  He  was  interrupted  by  shouts  from  those  on  the  lawn. 
'  Fetch  him  out !'  '  Don't  listen  to  the  mudsill !'  '  Hang  the 
thief!'  rang  out  from  every  side. 

"  A  movement  was  made  by  my  neighbor-lover  to  approach 
Mr.  Blakely,  but  he  stepped  back  as  Blakely  seized  a  stick  of 
wood  and  addressed  himself  in  a  loud,  clear  voice  to  those 
about  him. 

"  '  Gentlemen,'  he  said,  backing  against  the  wall,  '  I  have 
done  you  no  harm.  I  have  come  among  you  on  business,  and 
sooner  would  I  have  my  right  hand  fall  withered  at  my  side 
than  seek  to  disturb  you  by  any  word  or  act  calculated  to  ex- 
cite anger  or  commotion  among  your  people.  I  am  a  peace- 
fully-disposed man,  but  like  other  men  I  have  passions  which 
can  be  aroused,  and  I  assure  you,  that  while  I  am  perfectly 
willing  and  ready  to  do  anything  in  reason  that  you  may  ask 
of  me,  yet  I  shall  return  ^-iolence  for  violence.' 

"  A  wild  guffaw  greeted  his  remarks,  and  one  of  the  men 
rushed  forward,  but  was  deterred  from  further  action  by  the 
uplifted  stick  of  wood.  How  my  heart  quaked  !  I  admired 
him  more  than  ever.  A  whispered  conversation  now  touk 
place  among  some  of  the  gentlemen,  and  I  was  commencing 
to  hope  that  some  pacific  measure  might  be  adopted  ;  but  in 
this  I  was  mistaken,  for  the  voices  on  the  lawn  became  more 
clamorous  and  louder.  My  neighbor-lover  looked  at  me,  but 
my  face  gave  him  no  encouragement,  and  then  he  stepped  for- 
ward and  demanded  of  Blakely  to  lay  down  his  weapon.  He 
refused  to  do  it,  and  then  such  a  scene  ensued  as  I  had  never 
witnessed  before,  and  hope  I  never  shall  again.  Quick  as 
thought  three  of  them  closed  in  with  him.  I  saw  his  weapon 
descend  like  a  flash  of  lightning,  and  the  three  men  were 
stretched  bleeding  on  the  floor,  while  the  warm  blood  spurted 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.       '  115 

in  a  stream  from  Mr.  Blakcly's  nose,  and  a  deep  crimson  gash 
marked  its  fearful  outlines  on  his  forehead. 

"  'Have  you  no  respect  for  ladies?'  he  cried.  But  I  heard 
no  more :  the  rest  of  the  gentlemen  closed  in  upon  him,  the 
member  of  the  legislature  standing  off,  a  passive  spectator ; 
the  ladies  left  the  room  and  retired  to  my  chamber,  where  the 
exultant  shout  and  boisterous  laughter  gave  us  the  intelligence 
that  the  work  was  being  accomplished." 

"  Thunderation  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  excitedly ;  and  then, 
quickly  excusing  himself,  he  begged  the  woman  to  go  on  with 
her  story. 

'■'■  Some  of  the  ladies  who  had  met  Mr.  Blakely  before  made 
remarks  of  pity,  but  so  high  was  the  excitement  among  all 
classes  of  people  that  pity  was  soon  changed  to  scorn,  and  the 
verdict  of  all  was  that  it  served  him  right.  For  myself,  I 
w^as  glad  when  all  was  over,  and  when  the  gentlemen  amus- 
ingly described  how  he  had  looked  in  his  coat  of  tar  and 
feathers  I  laughed  as  loud  as  the  loudest.  I  inquired  how  he 
had  acted  during  the  operation,  and  was  informed  that  he  not 
only  fought  like  a  tiger  until  overpowered,  but  had  made  sev- 
eral sore  heads,  as  some  of  the  gentlemen  were  able  to  testify 
from  actual  experience. 

"  I  inquired  as  to  his  whereabouts,  and  was  informed  that 
a  portion  of  the  '  committee,'  as  they  styled  themselves,  had 
taken  him  to  Montgomery,  from  w^hence  he  w^ould  soon  be 
able  to  reach  his  home,  and  where  his  clothes  and  effects 
would  find  him  in  the  morning. 

"  Amid  the  dancing  and  festivities  that  followed  w'hile  the 
party  was  awaiting  the  return  of  those  who  had  escorted  Mr. 
Blakely  into  the  capital,  all  w^as  forgotten  but  the  fact  that  a 
most  commendable  act  had  been  performed,  and  ere  the  night 
was  spent  I  was  the  betrothed  of  my  neighbor-lover,  amid  the 
plaudits  and  congratulations  of  all  the  gay  assemblage.  It  was 
a  suitable  reward,  they  all  said,  for  my  lover's  devotion  and 
activity  in  the  cause.  My  father  expressed  himself  as  pleased 
with  my  action,  and  on  the  very  day — Christmas  eve — on 
which  the  election  for  delegates  to  attend  the  convention 
called  by  Governor  Moore  to  determine  the  position  of  Ala- 
bama in  the  coming  struggle  took  place,  I  became  the  wife  of 
— of  my  neighbor- lover." 

"  Was  that  your  husband's  name?"  queried  Tommy,  inno- 


116  WOXTUS,  OR 

cently.  Mr.  Wontus  frowned,  and  directed  Tommy  to  hold 
his  tongue. 

''  In  the  exciting  scenes  which  followed,"  said  the  woman, 
without  noticing  the  interruption,  *'  my  husband  was  a  most  ac- 
tive participant.  The  young  men  were  rallying  from  all  quar- 
ters of  the  State,  and  on  the  eleventh  day  of  January,  when  the 
ordinance  of  secession  was  passed  by  the  convention,  which 
commenced  its  sittings  on  the  seventh,  my  husband  was  chosen 
as  a  sort  of  envoy  to  proceed  to  this  city  and  consult  with  the 
members  of  Congress  as  to  future  action.  You  know,  sir,  as 
well  as  I  do,  the  public  convulsions  that  followed  quickly  on 
the  heels  of  secession.  AVith  these  came  brilliant  prospects, 
and  we  lived  here  amid  the  most  charming  associations.  Gen- 
tlemen connected  with  the  government  and  high  in  authority 
were  our  constant  visitors,  for  my  husband  was  one  of  the 
most  bitter  secessionists,  and  only  played  the  part  of  a  law- 
abiding  citizen  that  he  might  be  better  enabled  to  see  and 
know  what  was  going  on  among  the  Yankees. 

"  When  Sumter  was  captured  the  independence  of  the  South 
became  a  fixed  fact,  and,  sir,  we  shall  live,  I  hope,  to  see  the 
noble  sons  of  my  Southern  home  triumph  over  these  crowds 
of  Hessians,  who  are  constantly  parading  through  the  streets 
of  Washington,  to  desecrate  the  soil  of  Virginia  with  their 
Vandal  feet." 

'•  Madam,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  apologetically,  as  though  he 
disliked  to  break  in  upon  the  story  and  yet  felt  that  it  was  his 
duty  to  refute  the  charge,  "  I  think, — I  know  you  are  mis- 
taken. The  soldiers  of  the  government  are  confined  to  no 
particular  class  of  society,  but  come  from  the  ranks  of  the 
rich  and  highborn,  as  well  as  from  the  poor  and  lowly." 

"  But  let  me  tell  you,"  continued  the  invidid  without  ap- 
pearing to  notice  the  interruption,  '•  how  it  comes  that  you 
should  find  me  in  the  condition  that  I  am  in  at  present." 

Mr.  Wontus  begged  her  to  proceed. 

"  After  we  had  fairly  commenced  and  our  communications 
were  cut  off.  we  found  it  necessary  to  seek  means  of  support, 
and  my  husband  accepted  a  position  in  one  of  the  departments, 
where  he  remained  until  we  were  informed,  in  a  manner  which 
I  do  not  care  to  state,  that  he  had  been  appointed,  by  Grov- 
ernor  Moore,  a  major  in  one  of  the  Alabama  regiments,  and 
as  soon  as  the  necessary  arrangements  could  be  made  he  left 


THE   CORPS   OF   OnSERVATIOy.  \\^ 

for  the  South,  to  protect  his  home  anj  fireside.  He  would 
have  taken  nie  with  liim,  but  I  felt  perfectly  easy,  and  be- 
lieved that  I  had  better  wait  here,  where  I  could  be  of  great 
service  in  supplying  information,  until  the  war  has  concluded 
and  the  South  been  guaranteed  her  rights.  Not  being  accus- 
tomed to  economy,  and  the  birth  of  my  child  occurring,  I 
soon  consumed  all  the  money  I  had,  and  finding  it  impossible 
to  communicate  with  my  friends  in  Alabama  and  procure  more, 
as  a  last  resort  I  accepted  a  situation  in  one  of  the  depart- 
ments,— for  I  assure  you  that  until  recently  there  were 
plenty  of  dear  friends  in  this  city  w^ho  loved  the  South,— 
where  I  remained  until  attacked  with  this  terrible  fever." 
Mr.  Wontus  said  "yes  ma'am,"  and  looked  puzzled. 
"  But  for  my  child," — and  the  woman  cast  a  loving  glance 
on  the  sleeping  little  one  in  Mr.  Wontus's  arms, — "  I  would, 
woman  as  I  am,  dare  all  the  perils  of  the  journey,  and  follow 
my  husband ;  I  would  stand  by  his  side  and  encourage  him 
to  brave  and  noble  deeds !"  She  paused  and  raised  her  hands 
to  her  temples.  «  But  no,  it  is  willed  otherwise ;  but  if  God 
is  good  enough  to  give  me  once  again  my  health  and  strength, 

the  name  of  Flick " 

"Flick,  did  you  say,  ma'am?"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  spring- 
ing to  his  feet,  and  almost  letting  the  babe  fall  from  his  arms. 
"  Did  I  understand  you  to  say  Flick  ? — Major  Flick  ?" 

''  What  have  I  done?  What  have  I  said?". cried  the  in- 
valid, the  blood  rushing  up  to  her  thin,  pale  cheeks  and  her 
w^hole  body  trembling  with  emotion. 

"Did  I  understand  you  to  say  Flick?"  and  Mr.  Wontus's 
manner  was  that  of  intense  interest.  "  You  have  nothing  to 
fear  from  me,  madam  ;  a  woman — a  lone  woman — is  always 
entitled  to  my  respect  (the  gentleman  placed  his  disengaged 
hand  on  those  ribs  which  are  supposed  to  cover  and  shelter 
the  heart),  and  more  particularly  one  who  is  in  distress." 

It  was  some  time  before  the  lady  could  overcome  her  emo- 
tions sufiicient  to  inform  Mr.  Wontus  that  the  name  she  had 
accidentally  uttered  was  really  the  name  of  her  husband,  and 
riow  that  all  was  known  she  gave  full  vent  to  her  pent-up  feel- 
ings, and,  with  tears  rolling  down  her  cheeks,  she  implored  her 
hearers  not  to  mention  the  fact  of  her  husband  being  in  the 
rebel  army.  The  scene  was  deeply  affecting,  so  much  so  in 
fact,  that  our  hero  turned  away  his  head  and  asked  Thomas 


113  wo  XT  us,  OR 

Thomson,  who  was  crazinp:  listlessly  into  the  fire,  what  he  was 
crying-  about.  Tommy  might  have  put  the  same  (question  to 
Mr.  Wontus  with  perfect  propriety. 

Had  the  lady  asked  Mr.  Wontus  to  go  hang  himself  it  is 
highly  probable  that  that  gentleman  would  have  promised  to 
do  it,  without  ever  once  considering  the  consequences.  But 
she  did  not.  All  that  was  asked  of  him  was  that  he  should 
not  tell  anybody  about  her  husband  being  in  the  rebel  army. 
This  he  believed  he  could  do  without  violating  any  law,  human 
or  divine;  in  fact  he  was  on  the  point  of  informing  the  lady 
that  he  knew  her  husband,  and  that  he  believed  from  her  de- 
scription of  him  that  the  gentleman  was  at  that  very  moment 
fighting  a  liquid  enemy  most  bravely,  in  the  City  of  Brotherly 
Love. 

I  say  he  was  about  to  do  this ;  but  he  did  not,  for  the  com- 
mand '^  Halt !  Order  arms  !'  and  the  sharp  ring  of  muskets 
on  the  pavement  in  front  of  the  house  attracted  his  attention. 

"  Ah  !  soldiei*s,"  said  he,  gazing  out  of  the  window,  with  the 
child  still  in  his  arms.     "  Brave  fellows  !" 

The  officer  in  command  ascended  the  steps  and  rang  the 
bell. 

"  Coming  here  !"  he  exclaimed,  and  then  suddenly  recollect- 
ing himself,  he  turned  to  the  lady.  "  Don't  disturb  yourself, 
madam,"  said  he,  soothingly,  "  no  harm,  I  assure  you ;  some 
mistake ;"  and  tenderly  placing  the  child  on  the  bed  by  the 
side  of  its  mother,  Mr.  Wontus  walked  down-staire  to  his  own 
apartments,  followed  by  Mr.  Thomson. 

'•  First  floor,  front,"  said  the  landlady,  as  if  answering  an 
inquiry  ;  and  this  was  followed  by  heavy  footsteps  on  the  stairs. 

'-  Throw  open  the  door,  wide,"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  to  his 
servant,  rubbing  his  hands  with  delight.  ''  I  have  longed  to 
see  these  brave  fellows,  and  now  some  most  lucky  mLstake 
brings  them  right  to  m}'  very  anus." 

x\n  officer  and  a  sergeant  stood  on  the  threshold. 

"  Mr.  Wontus  ?"  queried  the  officer. 

"My  name,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Wontus;  "walk  in,  sir.  I  am 
happy  to  see  you ;"  and  he  bustled  about  and,  with  the  assist- 
ance of  Tommy,  placed  a  decanter  and  ghisses  on  the  table. 
"  Come  in,  gentlemen,  come  in."  The  officer  and  soldier  walked 
in,  and  were  about  to  explain  the  object  of  their  visit,  but  Mr. 
Wontus  would  hear  nothing  until  they  had  partaken  of  his 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  Hg 

hospitality.     Tliis  done,  IMr.  Wontiis  insisted  on  his  visitors 
being  seated,  but  they  declined. 

"  We  have  an  unpleasant  duty  to  perform,  sir,"  said  the 
officer,  after  a  little  hesitation. 

"  Yes,  yes,"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  his  eyes  speaking  the  pleas- 
ure he  felt.  "  It's  your  business — necessary,  gentlemen,  ne- 
cessary !"  and  he  threw  himself  back  in  his  chair  as  though  he 
had  done  a  wonderful  deed. 

"You  are  Mr.  Wontus?" 

"  I  am." 

"  I  arrest  you." 

For  a  moment  Mr.  Wontus  sat  in  speechless  astonishment, 
and  Thomas  Thomson  looked  as  though  he  would  like  to  be 
somewhere  else.  The  scene  was  distressing ;  the  look  of  joy 
had  given  place  to  one  of  deep  distress. 

"  Good  joke,  good  joke  !"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  recovering  him- 
self after  a  time,  and  laughing  heartily. 

"  Excuse  me,  sir,"  said  the  officer,  "  but  my  time  is  precious  ; 
you  will  please  make  yourself  ready  to  accompany  this  man  ;" 
and  then  turning  to  the  sergeant  he  gave  him  directions  to 
convey  Mr.  Wontus  to  the  provost-marshal's  office,  and  with- 
out further  ceremony  left  the  room. 

"  Come,"  said  the  sergeant. 

'*  Me  ?"  asked  Mr.  Wontus,  his  mouth  openingr  with  wonder 

"  Yes."  ^       " 

"  Mistake,"  said  Thomas  Thomson,  laconically. 

"  No  talk,  or  I'll  take  you,"  said  the  sergeant,  casting  a  de- 
preciating glance  on  Tommy. 

Mr.  Thomson  was  silent  from  that  moment,  and  his  master 
was  so  completely  overwhelmed  with  the  condition  in  which 
he  found  himself  that  he  sat  like  a  man  who  had  suddenly 
lost  his  senses. 

"  Come  up  here,  a  couple  of  you,"  cried  the  sergeant  from 
the  window,  to  the  men  below. 

"  There  must  be  some  mistake,"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  recover- 
ing himself. 

"  Don't  know,"  said  the  sergeant ;  "  it's  none  of  my  business." 

A  happy  thought  struck  Mr.  Wontus  :  "  What  am  I  charged 
with,  and  where  is  your  authority?" 

"  I  don't  know  anything  about  the  charge ;  here's  my  au- 
thority," and  the  soldier  tapped  his  musket  with  his  knuckles. 


120  WOXTUS,  OR 

Mr.  Wontus  now  endeavored  to  persuade  the  sergeant  that 
it  was  all  a  mistake  ;  that  he  wasn't  the  man  ;  that  there  must 
be  another  man  by  his  name.  Then  he  fell  to  coaxing  and 
pleading,  but  the  sergeant  was  inexorable. 

Then  Mr.  Wontus  pointed  to  his  foot  and  declared  that  he 
could  not  walk — that  he  could  not  go — it  was  impossible  1 

To  all  of  this  the  sergeant  only  smiled  incredulously,  and 
informed  Mr.  Wontus  that  if  he  was  not  ready  to  go  with  him 
of  his  own  free  will  and  accord,  the  soldiers  would  carry  him ; 
and  preparations  were  being  made  for  that  important  event,  by 
some  of  the  men  taking  oft'  their  belts,  when  Mr.  Wontus  con- 
cluded that  discretion  was  the  better  part  of  valor,  and  prepared 
to  accompany  the  sergeant  and  party. 


CHAPTER  X. 


INTRODUCES    MR.    NIDD    AS    A    CRITIC,    AND    COMMENTS    ON 
SUNDRY   PUBLIC    INSTITUTIONS. 

The  good  news  from  the  Southern  and  Western  depart- 
ments ;  the  bold  and  uncompromising  stand  of  the  new 
Secretary  of  War,  the  probabilities  of  an  earl}'  movement  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Potomac,  under  the  leadei-ship  of 
McClellan,  gave  to  the  nation  a  new  lease  on  life,  in  the  spring 
of  1862.  Up  to  this  time  leniency,  and  an  evident  desire  to 
look  over  all  that  it  conveniently  could,  had  been  the  policy  of 
the  government.  That  it  was  a  mistaken  one,  certainly  none 
who  remember  those  days  will  hesitate  to  say.  But  the  idea 
seemed  to  be  prevalent  in  official  circles  that  the  "uprising" 
would  be  over  in  a  little  while,  and  then  all  the  sorrows  and 
heart-burnings  that  might  be  engendered  would  be  palliated 
and  rendered  more  easily  healed.  But  now  the  condition  of 
afiairs  commenced  to  change,  and  while  the  same  leniency  was 
practiced,  so  far  as  possible,  among  the  military  authorities  in 
the  field,  yet  a  difi"erent  path  was  opened  up  in  the  cities  in  the 
States  not  in  rebellion.  The  leniency  of  the  government  had 
been  mistaken  for  fear  by  the  enemies  of  the  Union,  and 
treason  raised  her  bloody-  hand  fearle::sly,  in  the  very  streets 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  \2\ 

of  the  capital  of  the  nation.  Now  for  the  first  time  the  au- 
thorities undertook  the  delicate  task  of  dealing  with  that 
despicable  class  who,  while  lacking  the  manly  courage  to  be 
open  foes,  did  their  worst  in  a  secret,  stealthy  manner,  to 
paralyze  the  government  by  sowing  seeds  of  discord  among  the 
ignorant,  and  stabbing  at  the  vitals  of  the  army  by  giving  in- 
formation to  the  enemy,  and  thus  thwarting  every  effort  to 
bring  about  an  early  settlement  of  the  difficulties.  The 
country  had  been  so  long  in  peace,  and  the  people  had  become 
so  thoroughly  accustomed  to  obey  the  law,  that  those  in  high 
places  who  sought  to  do  damage  sheltered  themselves  behind 
the  habeas  corpus,  and  defied  the  power  of  the  nation. 
Treason  had  almost  become  popular,  and  yet  the  government 
stood  inactive.  But  a  brighter  day  was  dawning,  and  the  bold 
Btand  taken  by  some  of  the  military  authorities  in  the  Southern 
departments  was  quickly  followed  by  the  arrest  and  incarcera- 
tion of  the  men  in  the  North  who  were  doing  greater  damage 
to  the  cause  than  the  battles  of  the  armed  hosts  of  the 
South. 

It  was  unfortunate  that  Mr.  Wontus  went  to  Washington. 
It  was  unfortunate  weather.  It  was  unfortunate  that  he 
should  be  laid  up  after  getting  to  Washington.  It  was  un- 
fortunate that  he  should  fall  in  love  with  a  voice.  It  was 
unfortunate  that  his  kindly  nature  should  induce  him  to 
spend  so  long  a  time  with  a  sick  lady.  But  it  was  particu- 
larly unfortunate  that  his  brief  pleasure  should  have  such  a 
quick  and  startling  termination.  So  it  was,  however,  and 
none  of  the  other  members  of  the  club,  if  I  may  except  Mr. 
Thomas  Thomson,  had  partaken  of  any  of  these  unfortunate 
mishaps.  On  the  contrary,  Messrs.  Nidd  and  Wilkins  had 
been  from  the  very  outset  in  the  very  best  of  spirits :  the 
latter  gentleman,  in  fact,  was  fairly  steeped  in  spirits  most  of 
his  time ;  for,  as  a  natural  consequence,  he  had  made  himself 
an  indispensable  guest  among  the  soldiers  who  thronged  the 
city  at  the  time,  and  no  man  could  have  made  himself  more 
at  home  than  did  Mr.  Wilkins  among  the  men  who  had 
learned,  or  were  then  learning,  to  look  on  to-morrow  as  a 
myth. 

The  avenue,  with  its  myriad  of  hotels  of  high  and  low  de- 
gree, was  his  constant  promenade,  and  there  Mr.  Nidd  would 
leave  him  in  the  morning ;  but  it  was  not  in  the  province  of 
F  11 


122  ^woyrus,  or 

r  man  to  tell  where  he  could  be  fimnd  in  the  evening.  As  for 
Mr.  Nidd,  that  gentleman's  habits  had  undergone  very  little 
change,  and  when  he  left  his  lodgings  in  the  morning  he  could 
be  looked  for,  with  the  same  regularity  that  we  look  for  the 
sun,  in  his  seat  in  the  gallery  of  the  House,  a  little  to  the 
right  above  the  clock,  and  directly  opposite  to  the  Speaker.  For 
once  the  feeling  of  patriotism  and  love  of  country  was  para- 
mount to  that  of  greed  and  gain,  and  the  members  made  the 
proceedings  of  that  deliberative  body  more  interesting  and 
exciting  than  they  usually  are  or  were.  It  was  fine  enter- 
tainment for  Mr.  Nidd,  and,  in  fact,  for  every  one  else  except 
the  reporters  ;  and  there  he  sat  hour  after  hour,  and  wondered, 
as  many  had  done  before  and  man}^  will  continue  to  do,  that 
the  halo  of  glory  which  had  surrounded  so  many  men,  as  he 
had  read  of  them  in  New  York,  should  fide  away  so  quickly 
and  become  so  commonplace  and  tiresome  on  a  nearer  view. 
Where  were  all  the  magnificent  heads  and  wise-looking  faces  ? 
No  answer  was  vouchsafed ;  but  before  him  were  men  who 
looked  and  acted  just  as  he  saw  men  look  and  act  at  home, 
and  he  concluded  at  length  that  either  the  members  were  of 
less  mental  calibre  than  he  had  been  taught  to  believe  they 
were,  or  he  himself  was  not  up  to  that  standard  of  judgment 
•which  allows  a  man  to  discriminate  correctly  between  the 
ring  of  the  true  and  false  metal.  As  but  few  men  are  ever 
ready  to  condemn  their  own  judgment,  Gascon  Nidd  pro- 
nounced the  House  wanting  in — what  some  people  would  be 
inclined  to  consider  very  requisite — brains,  and  from  that  mo- 
ment he  enjoyed  the  proceedings  the  same  as  he  would  a 
comedy  on  the  stage. 

On  a  fly-leaf  of  Mr.  Nidd's  memorandum  book  I  find  the 
following  notes,  which  I  take  the  liberty  of  reproducing,  al- 
though they  were  evidently  not  intended  for  publication : 

House,  "Wednesday. — Little  man  ;  bald  head  ;  damn  fool ; 
talks  all  the  time ;  mouth  full  of  pebbles ;  nobody  listens  but 
big  man  with  glasses.  Shameful  waste  of  time.  Little  man 
wants  something ;  nobody  knows  or  seems  to  care  what ;  big 
man  don't  want  him  to  have  it ;  little  man  red  in  face ; 
friend  tells  him  not  to  bust.  Big  man  says  it  isn't  con- 
stitutional ;  little  man  wants  to  be  heard,  for  the  great  love 
he's  got  for  the  government ;  big  man  with  glasses  says  i/oitr 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION,  123 

love   (laugh),  and  shakes  his  fist  at  the  Speaker,  and  that 
gentleman   hammers  on  a  stone  with   his  mallet,  and  says, 
"Favor,  aye!     Contrary,  no!"     Nobody  hears    him,  and  he 
says,  "  Ayes  have  it,"  and  that  matter  is  settled.     Clerk  says, 
"i)'e  it  enacted,  and  so  forth''  and  sits  down.     Mr.  Blinkum 
says  he  hopes  the  bill  will  pass.     Mr.  Slasher  says  he  can't 
see    it.     Blinkum   hopes  he  won't  object,  but  Slasher  does 
obje(A,  and  calls  all  the  other  members'  attention  to  the  fact 
that  he  does  object.     The  other  members  pay  attention  to 
him  by  going  into  the  cloak-room,  or  by  reading  the  news- 
papers in  their  seats.     Mr.  Blinkum  says  Slasher   wants  to 
clog  the  wheels  of  legislation ;  that  his  bill  is  harmless  in  a 
general  sense,  and  of  great  benefit  in  a  particular  sense,  and 
ought  to  receive  the  vote  of  every  patriot ;  refers  to  American 
eaAe,  loved  banner  of  the  free,  etc.     Mr.  Slasher  asks  that 
the  bill  be  read  again  (cries  of  "Oh!").     Mr.  Slasher  insists. 
Clerk  reads:  ''Be  it  enacted,  and  so  forth,''  and  gentleman 
whispers  in  Mr.  Slasher's  ear,  and  he  becomes  enlightened; 
will   withdraw   his    objection.     Speaker   says,  "Favor,    aye! 
Contrary,  no !"     Mr.  Blinkum  voted  aye.     Somebody  wants 
the  ayes  and  nays.     Clerk  calls  the  roll,  and  members  say  aye 
and  no,  and  tfien  look  surprised.     All  done.     Speaker  says, 
"  61  ayes,  52  nays."     Member  stands  up  in  his  seat  (wants  to 
vote  on  the  strong  side).    Speaker  says,  "  The  gentleman  from 

!  were  you  within  the  bar  of  the  House  when  the  roll 

was  called?"     The  gentleman  from says  "Aye,"  and 

sits  down.     Motion  to    adjourn.     Adjourned.     Business   of 
to-day's  session  :  two  bills  p'assed,  neither  of  which  are  known 
or  understood  by  anybody  except  Mr.  Blinkum  and  the  little 
*   man  with  the  bald  head. 

Saw  my  representative, — member  from  my  district.  Very 
sociable,  clever  fellow,  before  the  election;  spoke  to  me  a 
score  of  times  every  day.  Met  him  in  lobby  this  afternoon ; 
said  "  How  de-do,  Sam  ?"  Didn't  know  me;  asked  him  if  he 
didn't  remember  me;  guessed  maybe  he  had  seen  me  some- 
where, but  couldn't  recollect;  head  so  full  of  important  gov- 
ernment business  wouldn't  hardly  know  his  own  children. 
Knew  another  man  who  keeps  a  tavern;  talked  to  him  for  an 
hour;  shook  hands,  and  was  much  pained  at  parting;  very 
strange.  A  thought  strikes  me.  I'll  write  it  down :  "  Cir- 
cumstances alter  cases!" 


124  WOXTUS,  OR 

Further  on  in  ^Ir.  Nitld's  memorandum  book  are  found  the 
following  reflections  on  that  high  judicial  institution,  the  Su- 
preme Court: 

Supreme  Court. — Thursday.  Law  is  a  great  thing;  it  is 
justice  blindfolded,  with  the  privilege  of  looking  a  little  out 
of  one  eye,  to  see  that  in  dealing  out  the  commodity,  law,  it 
don't  allow  too  many  grains  of  common  sense  to  creep  in,  and 
thereby  make  things  easily  understood  by  those  who  have  oc- 
casion to  deal  in  the  article.  Lawyers  are  the  spirits  of  jus- 
tice, made  manifest  in  the  flesh,  and  are  dispensers  of  myste- 
rious terms  and  long  speeches.  They  are  also  collectors  of 
high  tarifi"  prices  from  all  who  have  occasion  to  sail  into  their 
port,  either  through  ignorance,  misfortune,  or  choice  ;  and  are 
not  notoriously  sensitive  on  any  subject  except  fees.  That 
their  calling  is  most  praiseworthy  and  respectable  none  can 
deny  (or  if  they  could,  would  dare  to),  for  they  not  only  insist 
on  its  high  position  among  the  trades  of  the  land,  but  they 
insist  on  compelling  everybody  else  to  do  the  same.  They 
are  up  to  all  sorts  of  roguery ;  their  business  is  to  be  true  to 
their  own  interests,  and  as  their  interests  are  commensurate 
with  their  success  in  getting  their  fellow-men  into  and  out  of 
trouble,  they  are  generally  prepared  to  stand  up  and  proclaim 
for  either  side.  But  there  are  exceptions  to  most  rules,  and 
there  may  be  exceptions  to  those  gentlemen  who  stand  in  the 
shadow  of  Miss  Justice,  and  prevent  that  much-abused  blind 
young  woman  from  bestowing  her  favors  promiscuously  about 
among  her  gentlemen  in  waiting.  Young  woman  aforesaid 
being  perfectly  blind,  except  as  previously  noted,  the  attorneys 
don't  hesitate  to  indulge  in  sundry  gymnastic  performances  in 
her  presence  which  would  certainly  make  her  blush  if  she 
saw  them;  but  she  can't,  for  she's  blind,  stone  blind, — not  by 
nature,  but  on  principle.  Besides  the  terrible  afiliction  of 
being  blind,  she  is  also  deaf;  leastwise,  it  is  our  duty  to  be- 
lieve that  she  is,  because  it  invariably  becomes  necessary  for 
her  courtiers  to  shout  at  the  top  of  their  voices,  whenever 
they  plead  before  her  for  the  salvation  or  damnation  of  a  crea- 
ture who  seeks  her  protection.  I'd  alter  all  this  if  I  could, 
but  I  can't !  Time  has  sanctioned  the  practice,  and  while  I 
acknowledge  the  almost  gross  impropriety  of  my  speaking  of  a 
business  which  has  assisted  me  thus  far  through  life,  yet  there 
are  many  things  about  it  that  ought  to  be  condemned,  and  I 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  125 

regard  it  as  just  that  the  condemnation  should  come  from 
among  its  own  practitioners. 

[This  paper  shall  be  consumed  by  fire,  for  should  it  become 
known  that  I  had  written  such  things  I  would  be  condemned 
and  severely  criticised  by  every  lawyer  in  the  land.  "  Self- 
preservation  is  the  first  law  of  nature." — Gr.  N.] 

Six  men,  whose  heads  have  been  frosted  by  the  hand  of 
time,  sitting  behind  a  high  desk,  which  stands  on  an  elevated 
platform,  directly  in  front  of  me,  as  I  look  in  the  door.  Four 
vacant  chairs  behind  the  desk ;  whole  number  of  chairs,  occu- 
pied and  unoccupied,  ten.  Everything  clean  and  neat ;  but 
solemn  old  gentlemen  behind  the  desk  look  like  epicurean 
preachers,  dressed  in  black  bags,  and  look  solemnly  uncomfort- 
able ;  doze  occasiomdly,  nod  habitually,  and  look  very  wise. 
Squire  McFinegan's  ofiice  on  the  Bowery  surpasses  it.  And 
here  is  where  constitutional  law  is  laid  down  and  held  up  ! 
Well,  what  have  looks  to  do  with  things?  Nothing;  else 
many  men  would  be  put  down  for  what  they  are  not. 

A  gentleman  in  black,  with  a  long  neck  and  high  shirt-collar, 
wants  to  address  the  bench.  Why  a  bench  ?  There  is  nothing 
like  a  bench  among  the  chairs  that  the  black  bags  sit'  on,  or 
about  the  desk,  and  yet  they  are  "  on  the  bench."  As  a  semi- 
member  of  the  legal  profession,  I  have  never  been  able  to  see 
why  justice  was  always  supposed  to  be  incorporated  in  men 
who  sat  on  benches,  rather  than  those  wltb  sat  anywhere  else. 
But  the  gentleman  in  black  says  there  is  a  hiatus,  maxime 
defendus  somewhere,  Tind  then  proceeds  to  state,  in  a  very  in;- 
pressive  and  exciting  manner,  that  the  results  of  sundry  sur- 
veys establish  certain  parallels,  and  that  these  certain  parallels 
prove  most  conclusively  that  his  client  owns  some  hundreds 
of  miles  of  territory,  which  somebody  else  is  endeavoring  to  take 
away  from  him ;  and  all  the  black  bags  look  at  each  other  and 
nod  their  heads.  Another  gentleman  in  front  of  the  desk,  who 
looks  as  though  he  had  been  living  on  a  diet  of  terrapin,  lobster, 
oysters,  and  brandy  for  a  greater  part  of  his  life,  tells  the  honora- 
ble bags  that  he  is  on  the  side  of  right  and  justice,  and  only  wants 
to  honi  esuriciiti  ex  ore  exscidpere  prsedam,  and  further  than 
that,  that  sundry  surveys,  establishing  certain  parallels,  cer- 
tainly prove  nothing,  as  such  parallels  never  existed,  and  never 
could  exist,  unless  the  continent  was  turned  the  other  end  up. 
The  whole  affair  was  certainly  nothing  more  than  a  deep-laid 


126  TTO.vrr.S',  or 

plan  to  steal  from  his  clients — a  most  honest,  self-sacrificing,  and 
deserving  corporation  of  gentlemen — the  lands  which  had  be- 
longed to  their  forefathers  at  the  very  moment  that  Christopher 
Columbus  discovered  the  continent.  He  summed  up  his  case, 
and  made  it  so  clear  that  any  honest  man  would  have  decided 
in  his  favor ;  but  then  the  man  in  black  got  up,  and  when  he 
was  through  the  case,  was  (and  I  never  like  to  give  an  opinion), 
to  say  the  least,  doubtful.  The  honorable  black  bag-s  woke  up 
by  and  by,  whispered  together,  said  there  were  still  some  points 
in  doubt ;  case  would  be  continued  next  month.  Man  in  black 
and  the  man  who  looks  as  if  he  had  lived  on  a  lobster  diet  ad- 
journed to  a  tavern  and  refreshed,  the  same  as  if  they  had 
never  said  but  the  most  harmless  word  of  each  other.  Con- 
clude that  Washington  is  a  great  place,  and  that  my  education 
has  been  a  little  neglected. 

Here  this  rather  extraordinaiy  and  singular  commentary 
ends ;  and  nowhere  through  all  the  pages  of  the  book  can  a 
word  be  found  which  refers  to  anything  else  in  the  great  city 
of  Washington. 

The  order  from  the  President,  dated  January  27,  18G2, 
which  commanded  an  early  movement  of  the  army  then  ly- 
ing in  front  of  Washington,  and  which  held  the  Secretaries 
of  War  and  Navy,  and  those  in  command  under  them,  to  a 
strict  accountability,  sent  a  thrill  of  pleasure  to  every  loyal 
heart  in  the  land.  The  defeat  at  Bull  Run,  and  the  almost 
countless  other  defeats  of  minor  importance  that  followed  it, 
were  made  the  springs  from  which  great  rejoicing  flowed 
throughout  the  South,  and  the  chivalric  sons  of  chivalric  sires 
laughed  with  scorn  at  the  "  mudsills"  who  had  come,  and  were 
coming,  to  '•  manure  the  land  of  the  South  with  their  car- 
casses." A  great  dark  cloud  hung  heavily  over  the  North, 
East,  and  West,  which  the  President  tried  to  dispel,  but  was 
thwarted  at  every  turn  by  the  hand  of  "  military  science," 
until  patience  ceased  to  be  a  virtue,  and  then  came  an  order 
to  accomplish  that  which  he  had  tried  for  months  to  secure 
through  patient  waiting  and  kind  words.  As  if  by  magic,  the 
foreboding  cloud  which  had  shadowed  the  loyal  States  like  a 
pall  rolled  gradually  back,  until  once  more  the  bright  sun 
shone  forth  and  put  new  life  into  brave  hearts,  and  bid  them 
go  forth  with  new  energy.    Up  to  this  time  the  army  had  been 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  127 

recruited  mainly  from  among  the  young  unmarried  men,  but 
now  the  firm  stand  of  the  government  gave  recruiting  a  new 
stimulus,  and  it  once  more  became  really  fashionable  and  credit- 
able. Married  men,  whose  age  did  not  exclude  them,  now 
came  forward,  and  men  who  were  beyond  i]i%  legal  standard 
in  years  stood  by  and  cheered  the  departing  ones  with  loving 
promises  and  hopeful  wishes.  The  fires  on  the  altars  of  patri^ 
otism  were  re-lighted,  and  the  flame  burned  bright  and  clear. 
The  enemy  had  evacuated  Manassas,  and  were — we  scarcely 
knew  where.  ''  On  to  Richmond  !"  heralded  the  newspapers. 
"  Be  patient,"  said  the  President.  "  Be  patient,"  echoed  the 
people.  "  More  troops,"  cried  McClellan.  More  came,  and 
every  day  the  people  heard  the  plaintive  cry,  "  All  quiet  on  the 
Potomac." 

I  am  not  a  philosopher,  nor  do  I  often  indulge  in  pane- 
gyrics, yet  I  am  sure  that  those  who  happen  to  read  these  pages 
years  from  now  (for  I  shall  leave  them  where  they  can  Ibe 
found)  will  pardon  me  if  I  speak  a  few  words  in  regard  to  an 
individual  whose  name  is  now  familiar  to  the  civilized  world. 
I  am  handling  the  affairs  that  transpire  under  my  own  indi- 
vidual eye,  hence  I  risk  being  called  fulsome  when  I  say  that 
General  McClellan  is  a  model  soldier;  perhaps  he  is  too  much 
model. _    I  saw  him  yesterday,  as  he  passed  down  the  avenue 
with  his  staff",  and  I  loved  him.     Why  or  wherefore,  I'm  sure 
I  cannot  tell,  unless  love  is  contagious,  and  I  have  been  in- 
oculated by  the  troops  under  his  command.     That  they  love 
him,    that   the  people  of  the  whole   country  north    of  the 
Potomac  love  him,  none  dare  gainsay.     Like  yonder  brio-ht 
star  that  peeps  in  at  my  window  as  I  write,  he  is  fixed  in  the 
country's  firmament,  and  we  look  to  him  to  guide  us  through 
ihQ  storms  and  vicissitudes  of  an   eventful  epoch.     If  ySu 
doubt   the   truth    of    these   lines,   listen  to  the    clang   and 
clatter  and  the  wild  huzzas  that  greet  his  unheralded  appear- 
ance among  the  boys  in  blue,  who  fringe  the  horizon  on  yon- 
der hill.     Why  this  should  all  be  I  cannot  tell,  and  yet  it  is ! 
To  speak  ill  of  this  man  I  dare  not  if  I  would;  his  friends 
number  like  the  blades  of  grass,  and  yet  who  knows  what  may 
be  his  destiny.     Public  favor  is  but  a  flitting  courtier  at  best, 
and  he  who  basks  in  its  sunshine  to-day  may  be  stricken  by 
its  thunder  on  the  morrow. 

How  well  he  sits  his  horse — a  noble-looking  man  indeed. 


128  wo X TVS,  OR 

How  wondrous  clever,  too  ;  see  how  he  lifts  his  hat  and  smiles 
on  those  rugged-faced  fellows  who  are  tossing  their  caps  in  his 
face,  in  their  wild  delirium  of  love.  Can  this  ever  change  ? 
Can  that  eye  which  now  flashes  with  just  pride  before  the 
homage  of  a  whole  people  shed  a  tear  because  it  is  so  ?  Aye  ! 
But  dare  I  say  so  in  public  ?  I  opine  not,  lest  my  head  pay 
the  forfeit  of  so  bold  a  sentence  ;  and  yet  the  time  may  come 
when  men  on  all  sides  shall  be  ready  to  say,  "  I  told  you  so  !" 
But  enough  of  this ;  before  I  close  this  chapter  I  have  a  word 
to  record  concerning  Mr.  Benjamin  Wilkins. 

Among  the  thousands  of  strangers,  both  civil  and  military, 
who  crowded  the  capital  while  the  army  lay  encamped  there, 
were  hundreds  of  spirits  congenial  to  Mr.  Wilkins,  as  well  as 
others  who  were  less  experienced  in  the  ways  of  the  world. 
AVith  the  first  Mr.  Wilkins  associated  and  spent  the  money 
which  he  was  so  fortunate  as  to  draw  in  divers  ways  from  the 
second.  His  everyday  life  was  one  of  continuous  sunshine, 
and  he  found  himself  in  so  rich  a  pasturage  that  his  whole 
being  seemed  to  be  instilled  with  a  new  spirit,  which  nothing 
short  of  death  itself  could  put  an  end  to.  He  manifested  the 
most  profound  wordy  interest  for  the  members  of  the  corps 
while  he  wjis  in  their  presence,  but  the  moment  the  door 
closed  upon  his  back  in  the  morning  his  interest  in  them 
ceased,  and  until  necessity  brought  him  again  in  contact  with 
them,  no  such  beings  consumed  oxygen  on  earth. 

The  brief  time  he  had  spent  in  Washington  had  been  taken 
advantage  of,  and  served  to  render  him  a  living  walking  ency- 
clopedia of  places,  events,  men,  and  things  in  general.  That 
such  a  man  as  this  should  be  a  most  valuable  addition  to  the 
institutions  of  any  city,  no  argument  is  necessary  to  prove, — 
that  he  should  be  really  indispensable  in  a  city  like  Washington, 
all  men  will  readily  concede. 

I  cannot  undertake  to  describe  the  self-sacrificing  magna- 
nimity of  Mr.  Wilkins,  as  he  walked  through  the  hotels  and 
volunteered  his  services  to  all  whom  chance  threw  in  his  way. 
That  he  should  talk  of  Seward,  Stanton,  and  the  other  cabinet 
ofiicers  as  familiarly  as  he  would  of  his  most  intimate  acquaint- 
ances, will  not  surprise  any  who  remember  his  buoyant  dispo- 
sition. 

"  Stanton's  a  fine  fellow,"  he  would  say,  with  that  impressive 
sang-froid  that  carries  instant  conviction  to  unsophisticated 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  129 

minds.  "  In  flict,  he's  one  of  the  best  men  I  know.  A  little 
cross  and  determined  sometimes,  when  he  don't  know  a  man, 
but  taken  on  the  whole,  a  mighty  fine  feller  when  you're  ac- 
quainted. Reminds  me  of  my  old  friend  Gladstone  :  severe  on 
duty,  but  kind  and  gentle  as  a  kitten  among  friends."  He 
handled  the  generals  of  the  army  and  the  officers  of  the  navy 
in  the  same  easy,  familiar,  matter-of-fact  way,  and  was  ready 
at  any  moment  to  enter  into  an  argument  that  the  Capitol 
building  could  not  compare  with  the  Coliseum,  or  the  White 
House  with  the  Tuileries.  Since  Mr.  Wilkins  never  vouchsafed 
the  information  (and  it  is  believed  that  no  other  human  being 
ever  could),  where  he  picked  up  his  knowledge  of  men  and 
places  I  am  certainly  at  a  loss  to  determine;  but  I  have 
always  suspected,  from  the  strangeness  of  some  of  his  similes, 
that  he  had  been  an  attentive  listener  at  some  peri  )d  of  his 
life,  and  that  what  he  had  heard  became  so  vividly  impressed 
upon  his  susceptible  mind,  that  what  first  found  a  place  in  his 
brain  as  a  picture  of  fancy  soon  became  impressed  as  a  fact ; 
that  once  having  taken  place  he  believed  it,  and  was  ever  ready 
to  retail  it  to  patient  listeners  as  a  part  and  parcel  of  his  own 
individual  experience.  That  such  a  man  found  ample  oppor- 
tunity to  gratify  his  peculiarities  in  the  city  of  Washington 
during  the  early  days  of  the  war,  is  natural  to  suppose.  Could 
Benjamin  Wilkins  fail  to  do  so  ?     No  ! 


CHAPTER  XI. 


INTRODUCES  MR.  NIDD  TO  THE  PRESIDENT,  AND  PLACES 
BENJAMIN  WILKINS  BEFORE  THE  READER  AS  A  STORY- 
TELLER. 

On  the  day  on  which  Mr.  Wontus  had  had  his  labor  of 
love  so  ruthlessly  interfered  with  by  the  military  authorities, 
Gascon  Nidd  had  devoted  himself  to  an  inspection  of  the  treas- 
ury building,  and  at  the  very  moment  that  the  chief  of  the 
corps  was  being  dragged  through  the  streets  to  the  inhospitable 
quarters  of  the  provost-marshal,  he  was  deeply  absorbed  in  the 
study  of  the  manipulations  which  the  new  paper  money  of  the 


130  WOXTUS,  OR 

country  was  being  put  through  by  the  deft  hands  of  women. 
Now  I  have  said,  or  implied,  that  Mr.  Nidd  was  interested  in 
the  icork.  Well,  perhaps  he  was,  but  even  the  casual  observer 
could  not  fail  to  notice  that  while  it  was  true  that  he  did  east 
occasional  glances  at  the  piles  of  money  which  he  saw  lying 
about,  yet  his  eyes,  at  times,  remained  so  long  fixed  on  some 
one  of  the  cheerful  intelligent  faces  that  confronted  him,  that 
one  would  be  inclined  to  imagine  that  all  that  absorbing  love 
for  money,  which  is  supposed  to  fill  the  heart  of  all  men,  had 
given  place  to  a  love  for  something  else,  and  that  something 
else  was  the  new  officials,  who  had  been  so  recently  introduced 
to  these  departments  of  the  government,  and  who  (I  blush  to 
use  the  term)  wore  petticoats. 

It  is  highly  probabfe  that  Mr.  Xidd  would  have  indulged  in 
a  few  flattering  remarks  with  these  officials,  if  not  in  overtures 
of  love  and  affection,  for  in  that  direction  he  was  seriously 
weak,  had  it  not  been  for  two  reai<ons  :  the  one,  non-intercourse 
was  a  rule  of  the  department ;  the  other  was  that  Mr.  Xidd's 
form  did  not  appear  to  strike  anybody  as  the  form  of  a  member 
of  Congress,  hence  he  received  nothing  but  furtive  glances,  such 
as  would  be  cast  on  any  other  stranger.  He  had  expected  more 
than  this,  and  as  he  was  a  man  of  gumption  as  well  as  discern- 
ment, he  cast  a  scornful  look  about  him  and  swung  himself 
majestically  around  on  his  heel,  and  then  swung  himself  with 
quick  nervous  strides  out  of  the  building. 

Mr.  Nidd  congratulated  himself  on  finding  himself  on  the 
steps  looking  toward  the  President's  mansion,  for  it  was  more 
by  chance  than  good  management  that  he  found  his  way  through 
the  halls,  and  came  out  through  the  very  door  that  he  most 
desired.  As  he  stood  on  the  steps  and  wiped  the  moisture 
from  his  brow,  he  suffered  his  eye  to  take  what  might  be  called 
a  desultory  view  of  the  landscape  spread  before  him.  In  the 
foreground  stood  the  White  House, — called  ichite,  I  presume, 
because  it  is  generally  nearer  a  cream  color  than  anything  else, 
— and  stretching  off  gracefully  and  gradually  toward  the  river, 
which  sparkled  in  the  distance,  were  the  grounds,  which  Mr. 
Nidd  supposed  were  a  common,  but  which  are  really  the  Pres- 
ident's pleasure  grounds. 

As  Mr.  Nidd  stood  on  the  treasury  steps,  his  very  soul  ex- 
panded with  the  magnitude  of  everything  that  surrounded  him. 
Passing  his  eyes  over  the  green-houses  contiguous  to,  and  in 


X()    I'.WOItS    OK    A.N^-     KIM)    Tl)    ASK 


Pilfto  1 :'.;-). 


THE  CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  131 

the  rear  of,  the  White  House,  he  allowed  them  to  roam  amo»<'' 
the  trees  on  what  he  believed  to  be  the  common,  and  finally 
rest  on  the  miniature  mountains.  He  was  not  of  a  poetic 
nature,  but  he  felt  that  he  was  incapable  of  doing  justice  to 
ihQ  scene  in  prose.  His  mind  wandered  back  to  his  childhood 
t^'^ys  — for  he  had  been  born  in  the  country, — and,  tragically 
extending  his  hand,  his  face  wearing  a  look  of  serene  happi- 
ness, he  said : 

"How  doth  the  little  busy  bee 

Improve  each  shining  hour, 
And  gather  honey  all  the  day 

From  every  opening  flower." 

[There  can  be  no  particular  reason  assigned  for  the  rather 
singular  quotation  which  Mr.  Nidd  used  on  this  occasion ;  nor 
can  anything  be  said  in  praise  of  its  appropriateness.  But  it 
was  poetry,  and,  like  many  others  who  make  use  of  the  Muses 
on  similar  occasions,  he  furnished  the  material  without  regard 
to  the  matter.] 

"  Ah  !"  ejaculated  the  gentleman,  as  a  smile  of  satisfaction 
flitted  across  his  placid  face,  "  nothing  like  beautiful  nature 
to  bring  out  the  fine  points  in  a  man's  composition."  And, 
following  this,  Mr.  Nidd  permitted  his  fancy  to  play  upon  the 
scene  before  him  until  his  usually  methodical  mind  was  a  per- 
fect picture-gallery,  wherein  mountains,  valleys,  rivers,  and 
cascades  figured  most  extensively.  Absence  from  the  cares 
of  business  was  having  its  efibct  on  the  austere  conveyancer ; 
and  it  was  not  until  he  had  personally  inspected  the  miniature 
mountains,  and  found  them  to  be  piles  of  ashes,  stones,  and 
garbage  of  different  kinds,  that  his  mind  came  back  to  its  ac- 
customed train  of  thought,  and  he  wondered  that  he  should 
ever  have  wandered  from  the  beaten  path.  In  this  frame  of 
mind  his  attention  was  called  to  that  magnificent  pile  of  marble 
which  stands  on  the  banks  of  the  canal  (an  imported  feature 
of  Venetian  grandeur),  and  which  may  one  day  present  a  most 
imposing  appearance  from  the  other  side  of  the  river.  In 
this  case  distance  did  not  lend  enchantment  to  the  view,  and 
as  Mr.  Nidd  saw  it  for  the  first  time,  he  came*  very  near  per 
mitting  himself  to  believe  that  it  was  the  remains  of  a  chimney 
which  one  day  had  played  an  important  part  in  the  manufac 
tures  (if  there  ever  were  any)  of  Washington.  I  say  that  he 
came  very  near  permitting  himself  to  believe  that  this  was  the 


132  WOXTUS,  OR 

case,  and  probably  would  have  believed  it,  had  it  not  been  that 
the  diagram  which  he  carried  in  his  pocket  informed  him  that 
it  was  the  Washington  Monument.  The  moment  this  infor- 
mation found  a  place  in  the  mind  of  the  gazer,  that  moment 
the  smoke-stack  of  a  moment  before  became  a  venerated,  not 
to  say  beautiful,  pile,  and  he  fell  into  a  reflective  mood. 

He  had  seated  himself  on  the  remains  of  a  cart,  which  con- 
stituted one  of  the  ornaments  of  the  grounds ;  and  as  he  sat 
there  he  kept  nodding  his  head  like  a  man  who  is  perfectly 
satisfied  with  his  thoughts,  and  his  face  was  as  solemn-looking 
as  a  grave-yard  in  winter.  Exactly  what  passed  through  his 
mind  as  he  sat  there  can  only  be  a  matter  of  conjecture,  for 
only  that  which  found  vent  in  expression  finds  a  place  here. 

"  So  that's  Washington's  Monument !"  soliloquized  he,  and 
then  he  went  nodding  his  head  as  before.  "  Great  man, — one 
among  ten  thousand.  What !  yes,  one  among  all  the  men  in 
the  world, — got  his  equal  nowhere,  and  never  had.  Talk  of 
your  Acestes,  your  Chiron,  your  Itonus,  your  Belus,  your 
Alexanders,  your  Napoleons,  your  Brutuses,  and  all  the  rest, 
not  one  of  them  all  who  could,  would,  or  did  equal  him. 
Look  at  him,"  continued  Mr.  Nidd,  pointing  with  his  finger 
in  the  direction  of  the  monument,  and  speaking  with  animation  ; 
'•  he  was  brave,  he  was  good ;  he  sought  no  power,  and  only 
accepted  it  when  it  was  forced  on  him.  Did  he  look  out  for 
himself?  Not  once  1  The  country  he  had  helped  to  establish 
was  his  only  care,  and  he  worked  for  her  happiness,  her  glory, 
her  prosperity,  and  renown  only  !  He  was  worshiped  by  the 
people.  Could  he  have  made  himself  king  ?  I'll  bet  you  he 
could  !  Did  he  ?  I'll  bet  you  he  didn't !  And  there's  where 
he  stands,  a  head  and  shoulder  above  all  the  heroes  the  world 
has  ever  seen,  for  not  one  of  them  would  have  cast  the  crown 
away  if  he  ever  once  got  his  hands  on  it.  Argue  as  you  please, 
it's  a  fact." 

Having  delivered  himself  as  though  he  was  addressing  an 
individual,  the  speaker  once  more  fell  to  nodding  his  head. 
Again  he  speaks : 

"So  that's  Washington's  Monument!  Well,  I'm  glad  to 
hear  it ;  but  it's  an  infernal  shame  to  let  it  stand  there  look- 
ing like  a  cross  between  a  chimney  and  a  dilapidated  light- 
house. Who's  a-building  it  ?  I  don't  know  ;  it's  been  so 
long  since  I  heard  of  it  that  I've  forgotten.     Not  the  gov- 


THE  CORPS  Of  observation.  133 

eminent  ?  No  !  It  would  not  be  becoming  in  a  government 
like  ours  to  erect  a  pile  like  that,  even  to  Washington.  It 
would  make  an  aristocracy  of  family,  and  heaven  knows  we're 
drifting  into  that  silliness  fast  enough  as  it  is.  (A  pause.) 
Yes,  I  remember ;  the  citizens  of  the  States  were  to  build 
this  monument.  (A  long  pause.)  Will  that  time  ever  come 
again  ?  My  poor,  unhappy  country  !  what  have  you  done  to 
be  thus  dismembered,  thus  torn  and  bled  ?  I  pray  for  the 
early  pacification  of  the  troubled  waters.  Our  nation  is  too 
great,  our  future  too  brilliant,  to  allow  of  any  such  rupture. 
Stand  by  the  flag,  boys !"  And  Mr.  Nidd  rose  to  his  feet  and 
fairly  shouted  the  peroration  ;  and  then,  looking  around  him, 
he  bit  his  lips  with  evident  vexation,  said  the  words  "I'm  a 
fool !"  quite  audibly,  and  retraced  his  steps  to  the  avenue. 

Gascon  Nidd  was  not  only  a  democrat  in  the  literal  sense 
of  the  term,  but  he  was  also  one  politically.  He  never  knew 
exactly  icliy  he  was  a  Democrat,  since  he  had  little  or  nothing 
to  do  with  politics  or  politicians,  but,  having  polled  his  first  vote 
on  that  side,  he  continued  in  that  faith,  always  feeling  assured 
in  his  own  mind  that  there  wasn't  much  choice  between  the 
two  great  parties,  so  far  as  the  real  administration  of  afi'airs 
was  concerned.  He  lived  as  happily  under  one  as  he  did 
under  the  other.  He  had  not  voted  for  Abraham  Lincoln  ; 
in  fact,  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge  and  belief,  that  gentle- 
man was  not  the  sort  of  man  who  ought  to  be  President,  but 
now  that  it  was  within  his  power  he  thought  he  would  call  on 
the  President,  just  to  see  how  he  looked. 

It  is  presumable  that  no  man  who  ever  occupied  the  presi- 
dential chair  had  more,  if  as  many,  personal  interviews  with 
the  people  of  this  country,  than  had  President  Lincoln.  Nor 
were  his  interviews  confined  to  any  particular  kind  or  class  of 
people,  but  to  all.  The  intensely  exciting  times,  and  the  mo- 
mentous issues  involved,  together  with  the  regular  business 
of  his  office,  brought  him  in  contact  with  many  people ;  but 
aside  from  that,  the  droll  stories,  his  quaint  sayings,  and, 
above  all,  his  goodness  of  heart,  had  made  for  him  a  reputa- 
tion which  time  cannot  efface,  and  created  a  curiosity  on  the 
part  of  the  people  of  the  country  which  no  man  who  visited 
the  capital  neglected  to  gratify  if  in  his  power. 

It  was  simply  a  matter  of  curiosity  on  the  part  of  IMr. 
Nidd  when  that  gentleman  detennincd  to  pay  the  President  a 

12 


134  woyTus,  OR 

visit,  and,  as  lie  passed  under  the  rather  primitive — not  to  use 
a  harsher  term — portico,  he  felt  an  unconquerable  disregard 
for  men  and  things  pass  through  his  system. 

"Your  business,  sir?"  asked  a  man,  the  moment  Mr.  Nidd 
set  his  foot  inside  the  doors. 

'■'  AVhat's  that  to  you  ?"  asked  Mr.  Nidd. 

"Do  you  wish  to  see  the  President?"  continued  the  man, 
without  noticing  Mr.  Nidd's  manner. 

"I  do!" 

"  I  am  very  sorry,  sir ;  but  it  is  after  visiting  hours,  and 
none  save  members  of  Congress,  heads  of  departments,  are  ad- 
mitted. Have  you  any  important  business  with  the  President  ?" 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  taking  a  survey  of  the  room, 
and  assuming  a  dignified  mien ;  "  I  want  to  see  this  man  they 
call  the  President.  I  am  a  sovereign, — one  of  the  men  who 
make  presidents,  members  of  Congress,  heads  of  departments, 
and  the  like ;  what  more  do  you  want?" 

As  Mr.  Nidd  spoke,  a  tall,  gaunt,  sorrowful-looking  man 
came  slowly  down  the  stairs,  and  stood  leaning  against  the 
wall.  His  face  wore  an  abstracted  appearance,  but  as  Mr. 
Nidd  progressed,  a  smile  wreathed  his  mouth,  and  for  a  mo- 
ment his  kindly  eye  was  lighted  by  a  radiant  look,  and  ere 
the  door-keeper  had  an  opportunity  to  reply,  he  approached 
the  visitor  and  announced  himself  to  be  the  President. 

"  Glad  to  see  you,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  extending  his  hand 
with  the  same  familiarity  that  he  would  have  greeted  an  old 
friend. 

Mr.  Lincoln  took  his  visitor's  hand  in  both  of  his,  and  look- 
ing into  his  face,  asked  : 

"  What  can  I  do  for  you,  sir  ?" 

"  Nothing." 

"  No  advice  to  sjive  me  ?" 

"  No." 

"  Desire  no  contract?" 

"  No." 

"An  office?" 

"  No." 

"  A  pass  to  go  beyond  the  lines  ?" 

"  No,  sir." 

"No  politician?" 

"No." 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  135 

"  No  favors  of  any  kind  to  ask  ?" 

"  No,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  decisively  ;  "  I  came  to  see  you  ; 
having  seen  you,  I'll  go." 

The  President  still  held  his  visitor's  hand  in  his,  and  stood 
thoughtfully  gazing  into  vacancy.  "  No  advice,"  he  muttered, 
as  though  speaking  to  himself;  "no  contract;  no  pass;  no 
politician.  No  flivors  of  any  kind !  My  friend,  you  are  wel- 
come." And  looking  into  Mr.  Nidd's  eyes,  he  shook  his  hand 
warmly  and  drew  him  to  a  seat.  The  heavy,  earnest  look  on 
the  President's  foce  gave  way  to  a  more  cheerful  cast,  as  he 
seated  himself  by  Mr.  Nidd  and  commenced  conversation. 

"  And  is  it  really  true  that  you  do  not  desire  a  favor  of  any 
kind  at  my  hands?"  asked  Mr.  Lincoln.  "It  has  been  so 
long  since  I  saw  a  man,  or  woman,  who  did  not  want  some 
office,  contract,  or  favor  of  some  description  or  other,  that  I 
am  at  a  loss  to  understand  a  man  who  calls  on  me  out  of  pure, 
unselfish  friendship." 

Mr.  Nidd  was  about  to  explain  his  visit,"  for  so  kind  and 
generous  did  the  President  appear  that  he  commenced  to  feel 
UQComfortable. 

"Are  you  sure  there  is  nothing  that  I  can  do  for  you?" 
asked  the  President,  rising ;  "  I  should  be  glad  to  talk  with 
you  longer,  but  I  have  an  engagement  with  the  Secretary  of 
State,  and  was  about  to  attend  to  it  when  I  was  arrested  by 
your  conversation  with  the  door-keeper." 

"  You  can  do  something,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  rising,  and  speak- 
ing with  some  emotion. 

"Ah!" 

"  Yes ;  be  brave,  be  true,  be  faithful,  and  bring  this  most 
terrible  war  to  an  end  as  soon  as  possible." 

"  My  friend,"  said  the  President,  turning  to  Mr.  Nidd  and 
laying  his  hand  on  that  gentleman's  shoulder,  his  face  again 
assuming  its  cast  of  mingled  determination  and  sadness, 
"with  the  help  of  Him  who  reigns  on  high,  all  these  things 
will  I  be,  and  more,  if  He  wills  it !  Grood-by,  sir."  And  Mr. 
Lincoln  spoke  with  such  impressive  fervency  that  even  the 
skeptical  Nidd  felt  that  he  had  been  wrong  in  condemning  the 
man  before  he  knew  him. 

It  was  not  until  after  Mr.  Nidd  had  been  left  alone  that 
he  came  to  properly  comprehend  what  he  had  done.  With- 
out knowing  it,  or  rather  without  appreciating  the  fact,  he 


136  WOXTUS,  OR 

had  been  talking  in  tlie  most  commonplace  manner  to  a  man 
whom,  if  he  had  occupied  a  relative  position  anywhere  else  in 
the  world,  he  would  have  approached  with  fear  and  trepidation. 
But  he  had  been  taught  to  think  ill  not  only  of  Mr.  Lincoln's 
ability,  but  of  his  aims  and  intentions,  and  this  was  the  only  rea- 
son that  he  could  assign  for  his  unceremonious  conduct.  When 
he  entered  the  White  House  he  had  a  supreme  disregard  for 
the  man,  which  now  was  changed  into  the  most  profound 
respect  and  veneration. 

"  And  they  say  we  Democrats  don't  love  the  Union.  Well, 
well,  we  shall  see.  That  man  loves  the  Union  ;  he  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat by  nature,  and  I  love  him."  Thus  Mr.  Xidd  soliloquized 
as  he  passed  down  the  graveled  walk,  and  thence  into  the  ave- 
nue. Once  in  the  street,  his  attention  was  completely  absorbed 
in  his  own  thoughts,  and  it  was  only  when  he  was  about  pass- 
ing Willard's  that  it  was  attracted  elsewhere. 

At  this  time  the  hotel  known  as  Willard's  was  the  centre 
of  Washington  life.  Here  the  politicians,  who  thirsted  for 
office  and  its  emoluments,  were  congregated ;  here  the  officers 
of  the  army  made  their  appointments ;  and  here  the  sight-see- 
ing strangers,  and  others,  whose  business  was  as  mysterious  as 
themselves,  assembled ;  some  to  see  their  friends,  others  to  seek 
the  aid  of  some  man  of  influence,  others  to  hear  the  news  of 
the  day,  and  still  more  who  came  to  prey  on  the  innocent  and 
unsuspecting.  From  early  morning  until  late  at  night — in 
fact,  it  was  never  ceasing — crowds  of  men  were  here  to  be 
found,  all  engaged  in  the  same  occupation,  talking.  In  fact, 
talking  in  all  its  different  styles,  from  the  loud  and  command- 
ing to  the  supplicating  whisper,  was  to  be  heard  on  all  sides. 
I  sometimes  think  that  from  the  earnestness  which  some  of 
these  men  threw  into  the  conversation,  their  very  lives  must 
depend  upon  it.  There  was  every  shade  of  the  masculine  gen- 
der of  the  human  family  to  be  seen  here  at  a  glance,  and  pov- 
erty walked  side  by  side  with  the  richest.  Like  the  grave, 
the  saloons  of  Willard's  were  the  great  levelers  of  man  :  the 
high  and  low,  who  were  strangers,  found  a  common  footing 
and  a  common  welcome. 

It  was  the  first  time  that  Mr.  Nidd  had  ever  paid  a  visit  to 
this  celebrated  localit}',  and  it  was  not  without  trouble  that  he 
managed  to  effect  an  entrance  to  that  portion  of  the  hotel  called 
the  bar-room.    Once  here,  he  took  a  survey  of  his  surroundings, 


THE   CORPS   OF   ODSERVATIOy.  137 

and  among"  the  first  faces  that  he  saw  was  that  of  Mr.  Benja- 
min Wilkins,  of  the  Wontus  Corps  of  Observation. 

It  cannot  be  said  that  3Ir.  Nidd  was  astonished  to  find  Mr. 
Wilkins  here,  because  there  were  few  things  that  that  gentle- 
man could  or  did  do  that  surprised  his  fellow-members ;  but 
that  he  was  a  little  taken  aback,  so  to  speak,  there  was  no 
question.  Mr.  Wilkins  had  failed  to  notice  the  arrival  of  Mr. 
Nidd,  and  at  the  very  moment  that  Mr.  Nidd  first  saw  him  he 
was  indulging  in  a  few  deprecatory  remarks,  which,  I  believe, 
are  customary  on  such  occasions,  over  the  last  bottle  of  cham- 
pagne which  he  had  so  generously  assisted  to  consume.  He 
was  the  centre  of  a  group  of  gentlemen,  who  occupied  the  dis- 
tant corner  of  the  bar,  some  of  whom  were  military  men,  and 
othei-s  were  men  whom  Mr.  Nidd  recognized  as  members  of 
one  of  the  houses  of  Congress,  but  whether  of  the  first,  second, 
or  third  house,  he  was  unable  at  that  moment  to  determine. 
The  third  house  of  Congress  is  composed  of  an  unlimited  num- 
ber of  members,  and  resembles  the  other  two  houses  in  only 
one  thing,  viz.,  the  persistency  with  which  it  hangs  to  a  mat- 
ter or  question  after  having  once  become  interested  in  it.  A 
great  number  of  its  members  are  lawyers  from  difi"erent  sections 
of  the  country,  and  they  are  presumed  to  be  very  useful  ad- 
juncts when  it  becomes  necessary  to  pass  what  is  called  a 
private  bill.  They  do  not  receive  stipulated  salaries,  like  the 
members  of  the  other  two  houses,  nor  do  they  have  seats,  ex- 
cept in  the  neighboring  hotels.  They  are  as  well  known  about 
the  Capitol  as  the  members  of  either  of  the  other  houses,  and 
are  infinitely  better  than  a  great  many  who  figure  in  the  pub- 
lished proceedings.  Besides,  they  are  somewhat  of  a  privileged 
class,  and  their  offices  are  behind  the  pillars  which  support  or 
ornament  difi"erent  portions  of  the  building,  or  in  the  alcoves 
and  niches,  which  afibrd  a  convenient  standing-place.  In 
brief,  they  are  not  very  choice  as  to  exactly  where  they  transact 
their  business,  and  not  unfrequently  have  been  known  to  make 
use  of  the  cellar.  They  are,  in  short,  a  very  large  element  in 
the  mysteries  of  Washington.     But  again  I  digress. 

The  party,  of  Avhich  Mr.  AVilkins  was  one,  were  arguing  on 
that  staple  subject,  the  "conduct  of  the  war."  In  this  con- 
versation the  military  gentlemen,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  ap- 
peared to  take  but  little  part ;  but  that  fact  did  not  seem  to 
make  any  particular  breach  in  the  line  of  argument,  for  the 

12* 


138  WOXTUS,  OR 

other  gentlemen  had  so  many  opinions,  and  wore  so  careful  to 
set  them  forth  in  so  clear  a  manner,  that  the  fire  of  conver- 
sation was  continuous.  But  everj'thing  must  have  an  end ; 
and  although  Mr.  Wilkins  was  encouraged  in  his  suggestions 
as  to  the  proper  mode  of  conrjuering  the  enemy  in  the  briefest 
imaginable  time,  and  was  also  indefatigable  in  his  eiforts  to 
agree  with  all  the  opinions  and  suggestions  of  the  other  gen- 
tlemen, yet  the  conversation  gradually,  and  I  may  say  grace- 
fully, changed  in  some  unaccountable  manner  from  war  to 
ghosts.  Ghosts  are  prolific  of  conversation,  which  may  or 
may  not  become  prolix;  it  depends  on  the  early  education  or 
associations  of  those  who  indulge  in  the  luxury  of  a  vivid 
imagination. 

The  gentlemen  having  become  fatigued  standing  at  the  bar. 
one  of  the  members  proposed  taking  a  seat,  and  as  the  bar- 
room was  not  provided  with  that  convenience,  they  passed 
out.  closely  followed  by  Mr.  Nidd.  The  reading-  and  sitting- 
rooms  were  all  full  to  overflowing,  but  a  friendly  stack  of 
trunks,  near  the  clerk's  desk,  offered  a  perch,  and  on  these  the 
gentlemen  congregated. 

It  was  some  time  before  Mr.  Wilkins  could  gain  the  undi- 
vided attention  of  his  hearers,  but  he  finally  succeeded,  pre- 
facing his  remarks  with  sundry  rather  complex  questions  in 
regard  to  ghosts  that  need  not  be  related  here,  and  said : 

"I  was  born  in  Jersey, — not  the  island  of  that  name,  but 
the  Stato.  I  have  traveled  in  every  section  of  the  globe,  and 
know  things  when  I  see  'em,  without  askin'  a  question.  I  am 
not  in  the  habit  of  relatin'  what  most  people  choose  to  call 
stories,  but  there  are  some  facts, — and  facts,  you  know,  are 
stranger  than  fiction,  after  all, — occurrences  in  my  own  life, 
which  I  do  not  mind  relatin'  when  I  meet  with  clever  gentle- 
men like  yourselves." 

At  this  juncture  the  gentleman  jumped  down  from  his 
perch,  and  inclined  his  head  in  an  attitude  of  the  deepest  re- 
spect. Having  placed  his  cane  under  his  arm,  and  eased  his 
shirt-collar  by  running  his  fingers  about  his  neck,  he  con- 
tinued : 

"  Adjoining  my  father's  plantation  was  that  of  Gascon  Nidd, 
E.squire,  of  New  York  (Mr.  Nidd  drew  nearer),  a  man  of 
almost  boundless  wealth,  but  whose  heart,  I  am  sorry  to  say, 
was  as  cold  and  flinty  as  a  stone.     Perhaps  you've  heard  of 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  139 

him ;  but  no  matter.  Nidd  was  tlie  fatlier  of  a  most  ioter- 
esting  family,  consistin'  of  two  girls — lovely  creatures — and 
a  boy.  Imogene,  the  oldest  of  the  girls,  resembled  her  father 
in  every  respect,  except  in  disposition,  and  I  have  said  that 
his  was  cold ;  hers  was  as  warm  and  genial  as  the  sun  of  an 
Italian  sky.  She  was  tall  and  graceful ;  her  complexion  was 
neither  a  blonde  nor  a  brunette,  but  was  a  charmin'  hit  be- 
twixt the  two.  Her  hair — such  hair! — was  as  brown  as  a 
chestnut,  and  fell  in  graceful  confusion  over  a  noble  forehead 
and  alabaster  shoulders.  Her  eyes  were  brown,  a  beautiful 
brown,  I  think, — resembled  mine  a  little,  I  always  thought, — 
and  swam,  as  it  was,  in  liquid  glory.  Gentlemen,  I  loved 
that  girl !" 

"  So  it  is  to  be  presumed,"  said  the  Hon.  Mr.  Leatherhead. 
"  But  what  of  the  ghost  ?" 

"  Oh,  yes  ;  pardon  me, — I  had  almost  forgot.  Let  me  see." 
And  Mr.  Wilkins  at  once  fell  into  a  contemplative  attitude. 
"  I  think  it  was  in  June.  I  had  never  declared  my  love  to 
Imogene,  nor  yet  she  to  me ;  but  no  matter.  Old  Nidd,  her 
father,  was  a  violent  man  ;  but,  gentlemen,  it  takes  more  than 
words  to  frighten  me,  and  while  he  often  tried  to  scare  me 
with  his  talk,  I  still  went  on,  a  little  clandestinely,  but  I  went. 
Nidd's  field  joined  ours,  and  for  short  I  used  to  cut  across  the 
fields  on  evenin's  when  I  was  returnin'  home.  One  night  I 
met  the  old  man  near  the  woods.  Says  he,  '  Count,' — he 
always  called  me  Count, — says  he, '  you'd  better  stay  at  home.' 
"  '  Why  ?'   says  I. 

"  '  It's  dangerous  hereabouts,'  says  he. 
"  '  Think  so  ?'  says  I. 

"  '  Very  dangerous,'  says  the  old  man.     I  thought  I'd  see 
what  the  old  codger  was  up  to,  so  says  I: 
"  '  What's  the  reason  ?' 

"  '  Ghosts,'  says  he  ;  and  he  looked  as  solemn  as  an  owl. 
"  Seein'  there  wasn't  nothin'  to  be  made  on  either  side,  we 
soon  parted,  and  as  I  walked  along  I  stopped  to  gaze  on  a 
thunderin'  fine  white  bull,  which  I  saw  by  the  moonlight, 
grazin'  in  the  field.  Next  mornin'  I  found  out  that  it  was  a 
new  animal  which  old  Nidd  had  been  buyin',  and  I  thought 
nothin'  more  about  it.  (Mr.  Nidd  drew  farther  into  the 
shade.)  Well,  as  near  as  I  can  recollect,  it  was  about  two 
nights  after  I  had  the  talk  with  the  old  man,  that  I  had  been 


140  WOXTUS,  OR 

spondin'  the  eveniii'  with  Imogene,  and  stayed  pretty  late. 
The  night  was  a  Httle  cloudy,  but  the  moon  was  near  its  full, 
and  I  had  all  the  light  I  wanted  to  go  home  by. 

''  I  never  could  understand  it  before,  nor  since,  but  somehow 
or  another  there  was  a  queerish  kind  of  a  haze  pervadin'  the 
air  that  night,  but  I  didn't  make  much  account  of  it,  and 
savin'  good-night  to  Imogene,  and  puttin'  a  kiss  on  her  ruby 
lips,  I  hopped  over  the  fence  and  started  home.  Everything 
was  serene,  and  I  went  a-whistlin'  '  Comia'  through  the  Rye.' 
As  I  came  to  the  pasture-field,  about  two  dozen  acres  big,  I 
saw  the  white  bull  eatin'  away  in  one  corner,  and  I  noticed  as 
I  got  near  the  middle  of  the  field  that  he  behaved  a  little  sin- 
gular ;  but  I  didn't  disturb  myself  any,  for,  says  I,  '  Ben,  if 
that  bull  gets  rambunctious,  you  know  how  to  take  care  of 
yourself;'  and  I  continued  on.  I  had  just  got  about  in  the 
middle  of  the  field,  when,  thunder  and  Mars !  here  comes  the 
bull  towards  me,  puffin'  and  blowin'  like  a  steam-enginCj  and 
his  eyes  a-glarin'  like  balls  of  fire " 

"  What  did  you  do  ?' '  interrupted  one  of  the  gentlemen, 
anxiously. 

"  Hold  on,"  continued  Mr.  Wilkins ;  "  all  in  good  time. 
Well,  thinks  I,  here's  a  go ;  and  for  a  moment  I  felt  as  if  I'd 
like  to  be  on  the  other  side  of  the  fence.  But  there  wasn't 
much  time  to  think,  and  I  made  up  my  mind  to  fight  it  out. 
There  wasn't  time  for  me  to  take  my  coat  ofi"  before  the  in- 
fernal monster  come  snortin',  foamin',  and  dartin'  into  me; 
his  head  down  and  his  tail  up.  I  braced  myself  this  way 
(Mr.  Wilkins  assumed  an  attitude  of  defense),  and  jist  about 
the  time  the  infernal  scoundrel  thought  he'd  give  me  a  hook, 
I  grabbed  him  by  the  horns,  and  was  carried  chuck  ofi"  my 
feet  before  you  could  say  Jack  Robinson.  But  I  held  fast  to 
the  horns,  and  right  then  and  there  took  place  such  a  bull- 
fight as  was  never  seen  in  those  parts  before,  I'll  bet  a  dollar. 
As  soon  as  I  could  get  my  feet  on  the  ground,  and  get  a  pur- 
chase, I  give  Mr.  Bull  a  lurch  and  thro  wed  him  on  his  back  ; 
but  he  wasn't  no  sooner  down  than  he  was  up  again,  and  then 
we  went  pitchin'  and  tossin'  around  and  around  that  field. 
First  I'd  throw  him  down,  and  then  he'd  toss  me  up  ;  but  I'd 
made  up  my  mind  to  conquer  or  die,  and  I  stuck  to  him. 
One  time  I  thought  it  was  all  up  with  me  ;  the  rascal  give  me 
a  pretty  high  toss,  and  when  I  come  down,  instead  of  lightiu' 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATIOX.  141 

on  my  feet,  as  I  intended,  I  fell  on  my  side,  and  before  I 
could  get  up  he  made  for  me  like  a  bolt  of  greased  liglitnin'. 
"  My  presence  of  mind  is  good  at  any  time,  but  tiiis  here 
time  it  was  wonderful  that  I  should  think  at  all ;  but  I  did, 
and  in  a  flash  my  plans  were  laid.  Up  come  the  bull,  the 
blood  squirtin'  from  his  nose,  and  his  eyes  fierier  than  ever ; 
he  was  just  goin'  to  hook  me,  when  I  rolled  under  his  nose, 
grabbed  his  fore-feet,  and  tossed  him  over  again  on  his  back, 
lucky  Ben  Wilkins  on  top." 

"  Wonderful !"  exclaimed  the  Hon.  Mr.  Leatherhead. 

"  Wonderful,  indeed  !"  exclaimed  the  other  gentlemen. 

"  Well,  that  was  the  beginnin'  of  the  end,"  continued  Mr. 
Wilkins,  complacently,  "  for,  from  that  moment  out,  the  fight 
was  all  one-sided.  At  last  he  got  so  that  he  couldn't  stand 
on  his  pins  any  longer,  and  he  laid  over  on  his  side.  '  This 
is  my  time,'  says  I,  leapin'  to  my  feet;  and,  givin'  a  bound,  I 
jumped  on  him  with  my  heels,  and  continued  to  jump  on 
him  till  there  wasn't  any  more  life  in  him  than  there  is  in 
that  trunk. 

"Now,  gentlemen,"  said  Wilkins,  as  the  party  made  a 
movement  to  go,  "  the  most  singular  part  of  the  story  is  yet  to 
come.  When  I  got  through  with  the  fight  of  course  I  was 
tired,  so  started  straight  for  home  and  went  to  bed.  The 
next  mornin'  the  folks  were  all  up  before  I  was,  and  when  I 
come  down-stairs  the  old  man,  my  father,  was  standin'  in  the 
door. 

"  '  Dad,'  says  I,  '  I  guess  I've  got  you  into  trouble.' 

"  '  Why  ?'  says  he. 

"  '  I  killed  old  Nidd's  bull  last  night.' 

"  '  Done  what  ?'  says  he. 

"  '  Killed  Nidd's  bull,'  says  I. 

"  '  You're  a  fool !'  says  the  old  man,  and  he  went  on  a- 
lookin'  out  of  the  door. 

"  '  What's  the  matter  ?'  says  I. 

"  '  Killed  Nidd's  bull  ?'  says  he.  '  Not  much,  for  there  he 
stands  now,  jist  like  he  stood  before  he  was  driv  into  the 
barn  last  evenin'.' 

"  '  Wasn't  that  bull  in  that  field  all  night  ?'  says  I. 

"  '  No,  sir-ee !'  says  the  old  man.  And  then  I  went  on  and 
told  him  just  what  had  happened.  He  kind  of  doubted  it  at 
first,  but  when  we  went  up  to  the  field  and  seen  the  ground 


142  woxTus,  on 

all  tore  up,  and  pieces  of  the  bull's  hide  and  pieces  of  my 
clothes  layin'  around,  and  the  white  bull  standin'  as  peaceful 
as  a  lamb,  says  the  old  man,  '  Ben,  you've  been  fightin'  a 
ghost !'  And,  by  thunder !  that's  just  what  I  had  done,  for  3'ou 
might  shake  sixty  thousand  red  blankets  before  that  bull's 
face,  and  he'd  never  move  a  muscle." 

His  hearere  were  astounded. 

"Now,  gentlemen,"  said  Mr.  Wilkins,  after  a  pause,  "there 
is  nothin'  much  about  this  story  except  that  it's  a  fact,  and 
that  I  am  here,  livin'  and  well,  to  tell  it." 

"  Liar!"  hissed  a  voice  which  Wilkins  knew  full  well,  and 
Gascon  Nidd  walked  past  him  into  the  street. 

That  liquor  was  necessary  to  put  the  finishing  touch  on 
such  a  story  is  believed  to  be  eminently  proper  and  requisite, 
and  of  coui-se  it  was  done.  Here  we  must  leave  Mr.  Wilkins, 
and  attend  to  other  matters  of  vital  interest  to  the  corps. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

MR.  WONTUS    COMES    TO    GRIEF   AND    GOES    TO    PRISON,   AND 

FINDS     HIMSELF    NOT    ALONE MR.    NIDD    IS     EXERCISED 

IN    MORE    WAYS    THAN    ONE. 

It  is  not  within  the  province  of  a  pen  wielded  by  the 
hands  of  mortal  man  to  depict  the  unexpressed  feelings  of 
Mr.  Wontus  as  he  hobbled  along  to  the  guard-house  under 
the  charge  of  a  squad  of  soldiers,  who  were  commanded  by  a 
sergeant  who  evidently  knew  nothing  save  his  duty.  Custom 
had  made  the  men  quick  steppei'S,  and  it  was  not  without 
great  difficulty  that  the  prisoner  could  keep  his  place  in  the 
ranks.  Sometimes  the  admonition  from  the  sergeant  to  "  keep 
up  there"  induced  Mr.  Wontus  to  put  forth  his  best  efforts, 
for  he  felt  sure  that  there  was  a  mistake  that  could  and  would  be 
rectified  the  moment  he  reached  the  head-C|uart€rs  of  the  guaid, 
and  he  desired  that  moment  to  arrive  as  speedily  as  possible. 
Thjit  Mr.  Wontus  was  enraged  is  to  be  supposed  from  the  fiict 
that  his  face  was  very  red,  and  large  drops  of  perspiration 
stood  out  like  beads  upon  hiij  forehead.     In  vain  he  tried  to 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION  143 

k^ep  Step ;  but  the  more  he  tried  the  more  he  found  that  he 
could  not  do  it.  One  of  the  soldiers  by  his  side  endeavored 
to  help  the  prisoner,  but  his  endeavors  were  futile,  and  it  was 
only  when  the  party  arrived  at  the  guard-house,  and  Mr. 
\\  ontus  was  handed  over  to  the  tender  care  of  the  officer  in 
charo-e,  that  he  was  relieved  of  the  misery  he  felt  while 
marching  through  the  streets. 

Once  inside  the  guard-house,  Mr.  Wontus  was  conducted 
to  the  office,  where  he  plunged  himself  into  a  chair,  and  ru- 
mmated,  as  dispassionately  as  circumstances  would  permit, 
over  his  present  situation  and  the  probabilities  of  his  ever 
seeing  his  home  again.  While  the  prisoner  was  doing  this 
the  sergeant  was  making  his  report  to  the  officer,  at  the  con- 
clusion of  which  that  gentleman  (the  officer)  said  • 
"  Stand  up,  sir  !"  ^ 

Mr  Wontus,  not  supposing  that  any  such  command  would 
be  addressed  to  him,  sat  unmoved,  with  his  head  restino-  on 
his  hands  and  his  eyes  fixed  abstractedly  on  the  floor.      "" 

"Stand  up,  sir!"  cried  the  officer;  this  time  in  tones  that 
not  only  made  Mr.  Wontus  look  up  quickly,  but  made  the 
very  windows  rattle. 

Mr.  Wontus  cast  his  eyes  around  the  room,  but  as  there 
was  nobody  there  except  the  officer,  the  sergeant,  and  him. 
self,  he  wondered  who  the  officer  was  speaking  to.  The  ser^ 
geant  was  already  standing ;  in  flict,  he  had  not  sat  down ;  the 
officer  certainly  could  not  be  speaking  to  himself,  and  it  finally 
occurred  to  him  that  perhaps  he  was  the  man  addressed.  He 
cast  an  inquiring  glance  on  the  officer,  which  was  answered 
by  the  command : 

"  Stand  up,  sir, — youT 

Mr.  Wontus  stood  up. 

"  Take  olf  your  hat,"  said  the  officer. 

Mr.  Wontus  took  off  his  hat. 

''  You  have  been  brought  here,"  said  the  officer,  "  charged 
with "  ^ 

"With  what?"  interrupted  Mr.  Wontus,  excitedly. 

"No  interruptions,  sir!'  commanded  the  officer,  savagely 

iou  are  charged  with  giving  aid,  comfort,  and  assistance  to 

the  enemy ;  and,  if  I  mistake  not,  you  will  c^et  what  so  many 

of  your  kind  richly  deserve,  a  neck-tie,  which,  I  assure  you 

will  never  wear  out." 


144  WOXTUS,  OR 

Mr.  Wontus  was  almost  speechless  with  astonishment.  ITe 
giving  aid  and  comfort  to  the  enemy  !  Wh}',  the  very  idea 
was  not  only  preposterous,  but  was  cruel  and  unnatural.  But 
his  train  of  thought  was  cut  short  by  the  officer  commanding 
some  invisible  person  to  "escort  the  prisoner  to  the  back 
parlor." 

"  This  way,"  said  a  soldier,  tapping  Mr.  Wontus  on  the  shoul- 
der ;  "  this  way, — come  !"     But  Mr.  Wontus  did  not  come. 

"  What !''  cried  he,  in  a  condition  of  fierce*  excitement, 
"  am  I  to  be  incarcerated  in  a  dungeon ;  me,  Olympus  Won- 
tus ?  What  have  I  done  that  I  should  be  thus  treated?  Who 
are  my  accusere  ?  Bring  them  forth,  that  I  may  crush  them 
at  a  glance  and  force  the  horrible  lies  down,  yes,  down  to  their 
very  bowels !  Who  are  they,  where  are  they,  and  what  are 
they  ?  Who  knows  aught  of  me  that  is  tinged  with  treason 
or  disloyalty  ?  I  love  my  government  and  its  flag.  I  would 
die,  if  my  dying  would  save  it  from  destruction ;  and  you 
would  imprison  me, — I  who  hate  her  enemies  as  a  cat  hates 
water !  Oh,  come,  gentlemen !  this  is  but  a  joke ;  it  has 
gone  far  enough.  Let  me  go,  and  I  promise  you  that  while 
I  ought  to  report  you  to  your  superiors,  yet  I  never  will. 
Now  come " 

"  Come,  come,  me  old  flint,"  cried  the  man,  "  we've  got  no 
time  to  listen  to  what  evei-ybody's  got  to  say  that  comes  here. 
Come,  follow  me,  or  I'll  take  ye." 

Mr.  Wontus  could  not  persuade  himself  but  that  the  whole 
afiair  was  a  huge  joke,  and  taking  that  view  of  it,  indulged  in 
a  short  h3'st€ric  laugh, — a  sort  of  stage  laugh, — which  so  ex- 
asperated the  man  who  had  charge  of  him  that  he  insisted  on 
Mr.  Wontus  accompanying  him  without  further  delay. 

"  I  appeal  to  you.  officer  !"  cried  the  prisoner ;  but  that  gen- 
tleman had  taken  his  departure  for  more  congenial  quarters ; 
and  ere  Mr.  Wontus  was  aware  of  what  was  exactly  going  on, 
the  guard  walked  up  behind  him,  and,  taking  him  up  in  his 
arms,  endeavored  to  force  him  through  the  doorway.  But 
Mr.  Wontus  was  not  to  be  put  away  from  daylight  and  liberty 
without  a  struggle,  and  then  and  there  commenced  a  battle 
which  has  never  found  a  place  in  any  history  outside  of  these 
pages. 

For  some  moments  it  looked  as  though  the  guard  was  des- 
tined to  be  successful  in  his  undertaking ;  but  the  advantage 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  145 

was  momentary,  for  Mr.  Wontus  no  sooner  found  himself  going 
through  the  doorway  than  he  threw  out  his  legs  and  arms,  thus 
making  a  figure  like  the  letter  X,  and  defied  the  herculean 
efforts  of  his  captor  to  get  him  an  inch  farther.  Mr.  Wontus 
did  not  offer  to  strike,  but  simply  vigorously  opposed  his  eject- 
ment from  the  room.  His  lips  were  compressed,  and  his  face, 
though  very  red,  wore  a  most  determined  aspect.  The  guard 
pushed,  pulled,  and  swore ;  Mr.  Wontus  kept  up  his  X,  and 
groaned  with  every  surge.  Now  the  guard  undertook  to  dash 
him  on  the  floor,  but  even  there  Mr.  Wontus  was  too  much 
for  him,  and  when  they  did  fall  Mr.  Wontus  was  on  top.  The 
prisoner's  foot  did  not  hurt  him,  or  if  it  did,  he  did  not  heed 
it,  and  the  moment  he  was  able  to  disentangle  himself  from 
the  prostrate  man,  he  sought  the  protection  of  the  officer's  desk, 
behind  which  article  of  furniture  he  stood  at  bay,  puffing  like 
a  porpoise,  while  the  guard  called  lustily  for  the  corporal  of 
the  guard.  It  was  not  many  moments  before  that  much-used 
and  much-abused  official  put  in  an  appearance,  backed  by  some 
half  a  dozen  of  his  attendants.  The  condition  of  affairs  was 
soon  explained  by  the  man,  and  without  further  ado  Mr.  Won- 
tus was  taken  bodily  up,  and  conveyed  to  that  portion  of  the 
establishment  known  as  the  best  parlor — which  was  base  irony 
— amid  shouts  of  laughter.  The  imprecations  which  the  pris- 
oner bestowed  on  the  guard,  and  the  whole  world  besides,  were 
loud  and  long,  but  they  availed  nothing,  for  when  he  reached 
the  "  parlor"  door  he  was  placed  on  his  feet  and  pushed  head- 
long down. 

I  cannot  describe  the  "  parlor"  any  further  than  to  say  that 
it  was  dark  and  gloomy,  and  a  few  degrees  warmer  than  the 
temperature  outside,  and  that  it  was  the  common  receptacle  of 
every  class  and  description  of  people  who  happened  to  be  ar- 
rested, and  whose  cases  had  not  been  disposed  of  It  is  a 
singular  flict,  but  none  the  less  true  for  being  singular,  that 
most  soldiers  will  get  drunk !  As  there  were  a  great  many 
about  Washington  at  this  time,  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that 
some  of  them  fell  into  the  clutches  of  the  guard,  and  through 
that  instrumentality  found  their  way  to  the  guard-house.  At 
any  rate,  the  company  into  which  Mr.  Wontus  had  been  so 
unexpectedly  precipitated  was  composed  mostly  of  that  class 
of  people,  and  the  arrival  of  a  civilian  was  hailed  with  the 
greatest  imaginable  joy. 

Q  13 


14G  WU.VTUS,  OR 

The  cry  of  "fresh  fish"'  sounded  in  all  directions,  and  it  was 
some  moments  after  he  entered  before  he  could  distinguish 
objects  in  the  gloom;  but  his  eyes  soon  became  accustomed  to 
it,  and  he  glanced  about  him  for  a  place  to  sit  down.  Nothing 
met  his  gaze  but  the  bare  walls  and  floor.  In  desperation  he 
sank  down  on  the  boards,  and  burying  his  face  in  his  hands, 
commenced  to  meditate  and  grieve  over  his  truly  lamentable 
situation. 

"  Heaven  be  merciful !"  he  cried  ;  and  he  would  have  con- 
tinued his  prayer  to  a  greater  extent  but  for  the  interruption 
of  his  fellow-prisoners. 

"Who  are  yez  ?"  said  a  tall  cavahyman,  whose  language 
indicated  that  he  was  an  Irishman. 

"  I'm  a  poor,  lone,  lorn,  lost  man,"  sighed  3Ir.  Wontus, 
without  looking;  up. 

"An'  where  does  yez  come  from?"  queried  the  cavalry- 
man. 

"  New  York,"  cried  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  An'  fwhat  are  yez  here  for?" 

Mr.  Wontus  made  no  reply. 

"  Been  a  tippin'  yer  negus,  I  dunno,  ain't  yez  ?" 

Mr.  Wontus  said  that  he  did  not  understand. 

"  Have  yez  any  of  the  crathur  about  your  clothes?  do  yez 
understand  that  f 

To  this  our  hero  replied  that  if  the  gentleman  meant  liquor, 
he  could  truthfully  say  that  he  had  not. 

"Got  any  tobackee?"  asked  a  little  man,  whose  clothes 
were  considerably  the  worse  for  wear,  or  bad  treatment, 

"  No,  sir,  I  haven't." 

"Got  any  soap?"  continued  the  little  man  with  the  ragged 
clothes, 

"  Yes,"  cried  a  score  of  voices,  "  have  you  got  any  money  ?" 

The  prisoners,  at  the  cry  of  "  fresh  fish,"  when  IVontus  en- 
tered the  room,  had  assembled,  and  were  now  clustered  about 
ftim. 

••  If  you  have,"  continued  the  little  man,  "give  it  to  us." 

Mr.  Wontus  declined,  and  therefore  a  tumult  arose  during 
which  he  feared  for  his  life.  "  Gag  'em  !"  cried  one  :  "  Smother 
'em !"  cried  another ;  and  equally  threatening  language  was 
coming  from  every  quarter  when  the  loud  voice  of  the  Irish- 
man was  heard  above  all  the  rest : 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  147 

"  Hoiild  on  there,  ye  howlin'  divils,  ye !"  he  shouted. 
"  Have  yez  no  respect  for  the  feelin's  of  a  gintleman,  ye  mur- 
therin'  wretches,  that  you'd  frighten  'em  out  of  'em's  wits  ? 
Yez  have  no  manners  ;  that  what  yez  haven't."  And  stoop- 
ing down  so  that  his  voice  only  reached  the  ear  of  Mr.  Wontus, 
he  continued :  "  Could  yez  lend  me  the  loan  of  a  dollar  or 
two,  sur,  for  to  keep  the  howlin'  devils  quiet  wid  ?  I'm  an 
honest  man,  sur,  an'  wouldn't  see  a  hair  of  your  blessed  head 
harmed,  for  the  blessin'  of  the  saints." 

"  There,  there !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  handing  all  the  money 
he  happened  to  have  about  him  to  his  new-found  friend. 
"  Take  it,  but  for  Heaven's  sake  keep  them  men  away  from 
me ;  I'm  on  the  verge  of  insanity  now.  You'll  pay  me  back 
sometime,  I  know  you  will." 

"  Ye  have  the  honest  word  of  Michael  Skilligan  for  that, 
sur."  And  as  he  spoke  he  cast  a  droll  glance  at  his  com- 
panions, crammed  the  money  into  his  pocket,  and  drew  oiF  to 
another  part  of  the  room,  followed  by  the  others.  The  room 
resounded  with  cheer  after  cheer  soon  after,  and  Mr.  AVontus 
was  left  for  a  time  to  his  own  sorrowful  reflections. 

There  are  a  great  many  things  and  circumstances  about  a 
large  army  which  may  be  called  mysterious ;  but  probably  the 
most  mysterious  of  all  is  to  tell  exactly  how  and  where  the 
soldiers  get  liquor.  Cases  have  come  under  notice  where, 
from  the  situation  of  the  troops,  it  was  believed  that  to  pro- 
cure a  drop  of  liquor  was  simply  an  impossibility,  and  yet, 
just  at  such  times  and  places,  the  poorest  soldiers  in  the  com- 
mand would  be  found  as  drunk  as  lords  day  after  day,  defying 
the  most  searching  inquiries  and  investigations. 

Mr.  Wontus  found  it  next  to  impossible  to  secure  a  glass 
of  water  and  a  piece  of  bread,  but  he  noticed,  with  alarm, 
that  his  fellow-prisoners  not  only  had  plenty  to  eat,  but  were 
quenching  their  thirst  from  a  well-filled  jug  of  whisky, — 
which  jug  was  most  jealously  guarded  by  the  Irishman  who 
had  borrowed  his  money.  He  knew  it  was  whisky,  for  he 
had  found  it  absolutely  necessary  to  taste  it. 

As  night  threw  its  sombre  mantle  over  the  guard-house, 
what  had  been  bedlam  before  now  became  pandemonium. 
Men,  wild  with  the  excitement  produced  by  the  liquor  they 
had  quaffed,  made  the  night,  as  near  as  Mr.  Wontus  was  able 
to  imagine  it,  a  perfect  hell,  and  it  was  not  until  they  had 


148  WOXTUS,  OR 

become  so  drunk  that  they  could  no  longer  stand  up,  that  the 
turmoil  ceased.  Not  until  then  did  Mr.  Wontus  permit  him- 
self to  rise  from  the  floor  and  pace  the  narrow  space  left  him 
by  his  companions,  who  were  lying  in  every  conceivable  posi- 
tion about  the  floor.  How  long  he  continued  his  walk,  and 
what  he  thought  of  during  his  walk,  it  is  impossible  to  say, 
but  it  is  known  that  in  course  of  time  he  became  wearied  and 
tired,  and  sank  down  near  the  door,  and  soon  after  fell  into 
a  fitful  sleep,  during  which  he  had  most  horrible  visions  of 
death  in  every  shape,  but  always  in  the  presence  of  the  mili- 
tary. 

It  must  have  been  far  into  the  night,  and  at  a  moment 
when  our  hero  imagined  himself  on  a  scaff"old,  with  the  halter 
around  his  neck  and  the  drop  ready  to  fall,  when  the  door  of 
the  "  parlor"  was  suddenly  opened,  and  just  as  suddenly  shut 
again.  Mr.  Wontus  awoke  in  a  terrible  condition  of  mind, 
the  cold  drops  of  perspiration  oozing  from  every  pore,  and  was 
on  the  point  of  crying  murder  when  he  was  arrested  by  a  voice 
which  he  thought  he  had  heard  before,  singing, — 

"  My  name  is  Cap — Cap'n  Kidd, 
As  I  sail,  as  I  sail ; 
My  name  is  Cap'n  Kidd, 

As  I  sail,  as  I  sail. 
Mv  name  is  Cap'n  Kidd 
I've " 

"  Wilkins — Mr.  Wilkins  !"  whispered  Mr.  Wontus,  without 
moving,  and  the  singing  ceased.  '•  3Ir.  Wilkins  !"'  again  whis- 
pered Mr.  Wontus. 

"  Ah,  ha  !     What  do  I  see  before  me  ?     Who  cal-calls  ?" 

"Is  it  you,  Mr,  Wilkins?"  whispered  Mr.  Wontus,  rising 
to  a  sitting  posture,  and  making  a  speaking  trumpet  of  his 
hands. 

"  'Tis  me — 'tis  I !  Ham  (hie)  let,  the  Dane,  and  my  name 
is  Cap'n  Kidd,  as  I  sa " 

"  Sh  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  beneath  his  breath.  "  Be  quiet, 
or  we  shall  be  murdered.  Draw  near — this  way,  Mr.  Wilkins. 
Oh,  I  am  so  glad  you  are  here !  A  little  to  the  right,  3Ir. 
Wilkins  ;  there,  now  sit  down.  Softly,  Mr.  Wilkins,  for  this 
place  is  full  of  fiends  incarnate.  I've  been  expecting  to  be 
murdered,  drawn,  and  quartered  ever  since  I've  been  in  this 
horrible  place." 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATIOX.  149 

"  Mis'er  TVon-wontus,"  said  Mr.  Wilkins,  without  appearing 
to  heed  the  caution  oi"  his  employer,  "  you  musbe  drunk — / 
am!''  And  having  uttered  these  words,  Mr.  Wilkins,  for  it 
was  none  otljer  than  that  redoubtable  personage,  stretched 
himself  out  on  the  floor,  with  the  assistance  of  Mr.  Wontus, 
and  in  a  few  moments  was  snoring  away  in  perfect  cadence 
and  harmony  with  the  others,  leaving  Mr.  Wontus  to  spend 
the  balance  of  the  night  as  best  he  could,  which,  as  may  be 
readily  imagined,  was  miserable  enough. 

The  reader  will  please  retrace  his  steps  (more  properly,  his 
thoughts)  to  the  moment  when  Mr.  Nidd  pronounced  the 
expressive  word  Liar!  and  walked  out  of  Willard's  Hotel 
with  a  full  and  complete  understanding  within  himself  that 
Benjamin  Wilkins  should  be  amply  paid  for  the  free  and  un- 
constrained manner  in  which  he  had  used  his  (Nidd's)  name. 

It  is  always  "  evening"  after  noon  among  the  natives  of 
the  capital ;  therefore,  to  make  the  distinction,  it  becomes 
necessary  for  me  to  say  that  it  was  night  when  Mr.  Nidd 
ushered  himself  into  the  quarters  of  the  corps  on  D  Street. 
There  was  no  light  in  the  room,  as  was  customary,  but  Mr, 
Nidd  was  in  no  humor  to  notice  things  very  particularly,  and 
it  was  not  until  he  had  lighted  the  gas  that  he  observed  he 
was  the  only  occupant  of  the  room.  He  was  not  alarmed  at 
this,  only  a  little  surprised,  for  no  later  than  the  morning  Mr. 
AVontus  had  declared  that  his  foot  was  much  worse,  and  that 
it  was  utterly  impossible  for  him  to  take  any  out-door  exercise. 
In  the  fact  that  Thomas  Thomson  was  also  absent,  it  was  fair 
to  presume  that  Mr.  Wontus  had  changed  his  mind ;  and,  by 
way  of  occupying  his  time,  Mr.  Nidd  procured  writing  mate- 
rials, and  sat  down  to  write  a  letter — which  was  but  fulfilling 
a  promise — to  Mrs.  Squirm.  Business  had  made  him  a  rather 
slow  and  prosy  composer  at  best,  and  it  was  only  after  a  long 
while  that  he  succeeded  in  producing  the  following  letter, 
which,  I  may  say,  bears,  to  some  extent,  the  impress  of  a  mind 
tinged  with  a  curious  mixture  of  love,  and  conveyancing  and 
mysterious  threats : 

At  the  Capital  of  the  Nation. 

My  dear  Mrs.  Squirm  :  uMadam, — I  have  seen  much 
of  the  world  since  leaving  your  hospitcible  roof,  and  have 
been  subjected  to  many  adventures  appertaining  to  said  sight 
of  the  world  aforesaid.     My  recollections  of  your  house  and 

13* 


150  WONT  us,  OR 

its  appurtenances  are  of  the  most  pleasing  kind,  and  I  feel  as 
though  I  had  some  right,  title,  and  interest  therein ;  provided, 
always,  nevertheless,  that  the  presence  therein  of  a  certain 
being,  by  the  name  of  H ,  is  in  nowise  desired  or  per- 
mitted by  the — I  may  say — charming  occupant  thereof     In 

contemplating  the  aforesaid  H 's  infamous  presumption  in 

prosecuting  all  that  certain  widow,  who  shall  be  nameless,  for 
a  dower,  I  am  sometimes  led  to  commit,  in  my  mind,  a  homi- 
cide, and  fear  to  contemplate  what  might  be  should  I  meet 

the  said  H in  the  aforesaid  house  or  lot,  or  in  any  of  the 

ways,  or  courses,  or  appurtenances  thereof  whatsoever.  Let 
him  beware !  of  the  which  he  now  hath  timely  notice. 

My  dear  Mrs.  Squirm,  as  first  above  written,  I  should  have 
written  to  you  at  some  previous  time ;  but  the  scenes  and  in- 
cidents, as  hereinbefore  mentioned,  appertaining  to  a  man  of 
the  world,  of  the  which,  I  may  say,  I  have  become  one,  have 
prevented  me  from  accomplishing  the  document  last  above 
referred  to.  Pardon  this  seeming  neglect ;  in  consideration 
whereof  I  hereby  bargain,  consent,  and  agree  not  to  allow  it 
to  occur  again,  as  will  more  fully  and  at  large  appear. 

With  deep  feeling  for  your  welfare,  and  earnest  desire  to  do 

bodily  injury  to  the  caid  H ,  I  am,  my  dear  31rs.  Squirm, 

as  aforesaid,  yours,  etc.,  Gascon  Nidd. 

The  adage  has  it  that  "  habit  is  second  nature ;"  and  if  the 
foregoing  letter  proves  anything,  it  verifies  the  truth  of  the 
adage,  and  conclusively  shows  that  a  man  may  become  so 
thoroughly  accustomed  to  using  regular  set  expressions  and 
terms  that  they  even  find  a  place  in  productions  that  are  not 
of  a  business  nature.  Nidd  himself  was  a  man  of  habit. 
Habit  had  made  him  the  severe  business  man  referred  to  by 
Mr.  Wontus  in  the  earlier  records  of  the  corps ;  and  when  he 
signed  his  name  to  the  foregoing  he  also  added  the  words, 

"  signed,  sealed,  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of ."     But 

it  occurred  to  him  that  that  language  was  not  exactly  the 
language  for  a  production  which  he  chose  to  term  a  love-letter, 
and  he  expunged  them  with  his  knife,  folded  the  letter  care- 
fully, and  addressed  it  to  Mrs.  Squirm. 

The  letter  being  sealed,  and  a  stamp  affixed.  3Ir.  Nidd  con- 
sulted his  watch,  and  said,  "  Ten  o'clock  !  Something  wrong 
here ;"  and  he  then  opened  the  window  and  looked  up  and 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  151 

down  the  street,  and  then  resumed  his  seat.  A  half-hour 
more  passed,  but  still  no  signs  of  any  single  member  of  the 
corps.  He  became  alarmed,  and  walked  to  the  head  of  the 
stairs,  and  called  lustily  for  the  landlady.  That  personage, 
who  was  entirely  familiar  with  some  of  the  important  incidents 
narrated  in  the  foregoing,  was  evidently  expecting  to  be  called 
upon,  and  Mr.  Nidd's  voice  had  scarcely  ceased  to  sound 
through  the  house  when  a  female  voice  from  below  demanded 
to  know  what  was  wanted. 

"  Where's  Mr.  Wontus  ?"  asked  Mr.  Nidd,  down  the  stairs. 
"  Gone." 

"  Where's  Thomson  ?" 
"  Gone  out !" 

"  Where  have  they  gone  to  ;  do  you  know,  ma'am  ?" 
"  The  first  mentioned  has  been  arrested  by  the  authorities, 
and  the  other  one  has  gone  out — I  don't  know  where,"  cried 
the  female  voice.  ^ 

There  was  silence  for  a  few  moments. 

"  Madam,  I  would  like  to  speak  to  you  ;  will  you  come  up, 
or  shall  I  come  down?"  asked  Mr.  Nidd ;  but  without  waiting 
for  a  reply  the  gentleman  started  down-stairs,  at  the  bottom 
of  which  he  found  the  landlady. 

It  is  said  of  the  daughters  of  Oceanus  and  Amphitrite  that 
their  smiles  were  so  charming  that  those  of  the  other  sex  who 
beheld  them  were  so  completely  spell-bound  that  they  found 
it  impossible  to  move,  and  hence  often  died  of  starvation.  Now, 
I  cannot  say  that  Mr.  Nidd's  landlady  had  aspirations  anything 
like  the  mythological  young  ladies  referred  to,  but  certain  it 
is  that  when  Mr.  Nidd  found  her  her  face  was  wreathed  in 
smiles,  and  her  manner  most  entertaining  and  captivating.  At 
almost  any  other  time  during  the  life  of  Mr.  Nidd,  that  gen- 
tleman would  have  fallen  a  ready  victim  to  the  slightest  blan- 
dishments of  a  woman  like  his  landlady ;  but  now  his  mind 
was  filled  with  other  subjects  (and  he  carried  the  letter  to 
Mrs.  Squirm  in  his  pocket),  so,  without  heeding  the  mellow 
voice  and  sweet  smile,  he  bravely  asked  the  lady  what  she 
knew  of  Mr.  AVontus.  She  insisted  on  Mr.  Nidd  walking  into 
the  parlor,  but  the  gentleman  declined  on  account  of  the  late- 
ness of  the  hour,  and  repeated  his  cpiestion.  Still  she  insisted 
on  his  walking  in,  and  it  was  only  when  Mr.  Nidd's  patience 
was  well-nigh  exhausted  that  the  lady  vouchsafed  the  infor- 


152  WOXTUS,  OR  I 

mation,  in  rather  bitter  tones,  that  Mr.  "Wontus  had  been  de- 
voting a  great  part  of  his  time  recently  to  a  rebel  woman  who 
roomed  in  the  third-story  front,  and  that  the  provost-marshal 
had  sent  a  guard  to  arrest  him. 

"Why,  what  for?"  anxiously  inquired  Mr.  Nidd,  whose 
eyes  had  been  thoroughly  opened  by  the  statement  of  the  lady. 

"I  asked  one  of  the  men,"  replied  the  landlady,  "and  ho 
said  that  the  dear  man  was  charged  with  aiJin'  and  supportin' 
the  rebellion." 

"  The  devil  you  say  !"  cried  Mr.  Nidd,  excitedly.  "  And 
they  took  him  oif  ?" 

"  Yes,  sir  !  Poor  man  !  how  my  very  heart  did  ache  when 
I  saw  him  marchin'  off  between  them  ugly  soldiers!  We'ans 
have  no  peace  anywhar  any  more,  anyhow."  She  looked  as 
though  she  might  weep  with  a  slight  effort. 

"  Where's  Thomson  ?"  shouted  Nidd,  abruptly-  rushing  up 
the  stairs. 

"  Grone  out,  sir  !" 

Mr.  Nidd  stopped  to  hear  no  more,  but  leaving  a  short  note 
informing  the  other  members  of  the  corps  that  he  had  gone 
out  in  search  of  Mr.  Wontus.  he  was  about  rushing  into  the 
street,  when  Thomas  Thomson's  face,  as  pale  as  ashes,  confronted 
him.  In  a  moment  Mr.  Nidd  had  seized  that  individual  by 
the  collar,  and  dragged  him  up-stairs. 

"  Now,  sir,  where  is  your  master?"  said  Mr.  Nidd. 

"  Gone  to  be  a  corpse  of  observation,  I  reckon,"  replied  Mr. 
Thomson,  throwing  himself  into  a  chair,  and  speaking  most 
dolefully.  "  He's  been  wantin'  for  to  do  it  for  a  long  time,  and 
I  guess  he's  gone." 

"  What  do  you  mean?"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  passionately.  "  No 
trifling,  you  scoundrel !  where  is  Mr.  Wontus  ?  answer  me 
Cjuickly,  or  by  sand-hill,  I'll  brain  you  !"  Mr.  Nidd  was  almost 
beside  himself,  and  that  he  should  be  is  not  at  all  surprising 
when  we  recollect  that  the  brief  statement  which  he  received 
from  the  landlady  was  but  a  poor  guide  to  turn  his  ideas  into 
such  a  current  as  would  attribute  any  crime  whatsoever  to  his 
dearest  friend,  and  now  he  demanded  again  a  full  explanation 
from  Thomas  Thomson.  Fear  of  personal  violence  assisted 
Mr.  Thomson  to  find  his  tongue,  and  he  quickly  informed  Mr. 
Nidd  of  all  the  facts  concerning  the  arrest,  together  with  some 
observations  on  the  singular  conduct  of  the  landlady.    Further 


THE  CORPS   OF  OBSERYATIOX.  I53 

he  could  not  say,  altliough  he  had  been  out  all  evening  search- 
ing for  the  place  at  which  Mr.  Wontus  was  confined. 

"  I  see,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  assuming  a  thoughtful  attitude  and 
consulting  his  wartch.     "  Jealousy  !" 

Complete  and,  to  Thomas  Thomson,  most  painful  silence 
reigned  for  some  time,  and  when  it  was  l3roken,  the  breach  was 
made  by  Mr.  Nidd.  His  voice  had  assumed  its  accustomed  dry 
philosophical  tone,  and  his  foce  was  bereft  of  any  of  those  traces 
which  the  philologists  put  under  the  head  of  the  word  "  feeling." 

"  Thomson,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  rubbing  the  palms  of  his  hands 
on  his  knees,  "  what  has  brought  all  this  about  ?" 

"  I  don't  know,  sir,"  answered  Thomson,  meekly. 

"  Was  it  a  woman  ?" 

"  I  think  it  was,  sir." 

"  Oh,  you  think  it  was  ?" 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  What  woman?" 

"  I  don't  know,  sir." 

"  The  devil  you  don't !"  cried  Mr.  Nidd,  with  some  asperity  ; 
but  after  a  moment's  pause,  he  added,  in  his  usual  voice: 
"  Was  it  the  woman  up-stairs  or  the  woman  down-stairs  ?" 

"  I  think  it  was,  sir." 

"  You  think  what  was  ?" 

"  I  think  it  was  one  of  'em." 

"  Yes,  yes, — I  know  ;  but  which  one  ?" 

"  If  I  was  blistered,  sir,  I  couldn't  tell." 

"  Was  Mr.  Wontus  anyways  sociable  with  the  woman  up- 
stairs?" 

"  I  think  he  was."  And  Mr.  Thomson  commenced  edging 
towards  the  door. 

"  With  the  woman  down-stairs  ?"  continued  Mr.  Nidd. 

"  I  think  he  was,  as  also  with  her  too,  sir ;  bat  not  so  much 
as  'tother  one." 

"  Stop  !"  commanded  Mr.  Nidd,  noticing  Tommy's  intention 
to  leave  the  room.  Tommy  stopped.  "  Sit  down,"  com- 
manded Mr.  Nidd.  Thomson  sat  down.  "  Now,  sir,  I  want 
you  to  tell  me  truly,  and  as  precisely  as  you  can,  just  what  has 
happened  in  this  house  since  your  master  has  been  indisposed. 
I  think  I  see  where  the  trouble  lies ;  but  I  must  know  my 
case  thoroughly,  as  the  lawyers  say,  before  I  commence  pro- 
ceedings.    Don't  be  afraid,  Mr.  Thomson ;  it  is  all  for  Mr. 


154  WOXTUS,  OR 

Wontus's  benefit,  and  FU  see  that  3'our  part  in  the  matter  is 
fully  explained." 

Mr.  Nidd  was  compelled  to  use  further  seductive  arguments 
before  he  could  induce  the  man  to  divulge  anything ;  but  at 
length  Mr.  Thomson  opened  his  heart,  and  Mr.  Nidd's  eyes, 
by  the  recital  of  much  that  the  reader  already  knows,  together 
with  a  full  interpretation  of  sundry  glances  and  mutterings 
which  the  landlady  had  made  use  of  on  divers  occasions  when 
she  found  Mr.  Wontus  so  attentive  to  the  sick  woman. 

"  And  the  sick  woman's  a  rebel,  eh  ?" 

"  A  rank  rebel.  I  heard  her  say  so  to  Mr.  Wontus  this 
very  day." 

"  Very  good,  very  good,"  cried  Mr.  Nidd.  rising.  "  All 
plain.  The  old  fool !  Women,  women !  I  thought  so,  goU 
if  I  didn't."  With  this  indelicate  but  expressive  lanpruage, 
Mr.  Xidd  again  looked  at  his  watch,  remarked  that  Wilkins 
was  not  in  yet,  and.  dismissing  Mr.  Thomson,  soon  after  turned 
into  bed. 

Mr.  Nidd  was  not  exactly  the  type  of  a  handsome  man  at 
any  time,  but  there  were  times  when  he  looked  worse  than  he 
did  on  others.  The  next  morning  his  appearance  was  anything 
but  prepossessing.  His  short  hair  would  persist  in  standing 
out  in  a  way  very  shocking  to  the  rules  of  propriety,  and  his 
face  was  darker  than  ever.  During  breakfast  he  uttered  not 
so  much  as  a  syllable  to  Mr.  Thomson,  and  it  was  only  after  he 
had  lit  his  cigar  that  he  deigned  to  say  that  he  was  going  out 
in  search  of  Mr.  Wontus,  and  intended  bringing  him  back  with 
him.  He  spoke  calmly  and  deliberately,  but  would  not  li.-?ten 
to  Mr.  Thomson's  offer  to  accompany  him.    He  would  go  alone. 

Men,  great  numbers  of  them,  have  had  the  privilege  of 
seeing,  among  the  other  mysteries  of  Wa.shington,  a  tall,  gen- 
teel gentleman,  whose  suave  manners  and  graceful  mien  occa- 
sionally made  him  the  admiration  of  the  ladies,  and  whose 
little  peculiarities  made  him  an  object  of  more  than  passing 
interest  to  every  male  visitor  at  the  capital.  I  have  said  that 
he  was  occasionally  the  admiration  of  the  ladies :  those  occa- 
sions were  when  he  was  in  that  condition  vulgarly  called 
"  luck,"  and  at  such  times  he  found  himself  encased  in  a  suit 
of  clothes,  if  not  exactly  in  the  fashion,  why,  very  near  it. 
His  face  was  as  familiar  to  the  tradespeople  of  the  city  as  the 
dome  of  the  Capitol,  and  his  appearance  at  any  man's  door 


i 
THE   CORPS   OF   OBSEIiVATION.  155 

was  the  signal  for  closing  the  same.  He  was  the  mortal  foe 
of  tailors,  shoemakers,  and  others  who  dealt  in  gentlemen's 
ware.  The  moment  a  stranger  set  up  business  this  m  m 
Wiis  sure  to  hear  of  it,  and  \inless  the  stranger  was  very  quick 
he  was  made  to  pay  the  penalty  of  his  tardiness  with  a  suit 
of  clothes  or  something  of  that  sort.  Beau  Groodsell  was  as 
distinctive  a  feature  in  Washington  as  Brummel,  years  ago, 
Wtis  in  London. 

Hotels,  unlike  other  establishments,  cannot  very  well  close 
their  doors  on  a  man,  particularly  if  that  man  is  good-natured 
as  well  as  polite  and  agreeable.  Therefore,  the  man  called 
Beau  Goodsell — and  who,  by  the  way,  might  have  been  the 
owner  of  some  other  name — was  a  constant  guest  at  the  dif- 
ferent hotels :  not  the  kind  of  guest  which  we  usually  mean 
when  we  use  that  term,  but  one  of  those  peculiar  guests  who, 
through  having  nothing  else  to  do,  soon  come  to  look  upon 
themselves  as  a  part  of  the  furniture  or  other  fixtures.  No- 
body ever  knew  how  Mr.  Groodsell  lived ;  in  fact,  it  is  ques- 
tionable whether  he  knew  himself,  since  it  was  so  seldom  that 
he  could  be  seen  outside  of  some  one  of  the  hotels  on  the 
avenue.  He  was  vivacious,  and  necessity  had  made  him 
quick  to  seize  on  everything  that  could  turn  to  his  advantage. 
He  was  never  known  to  have  any  money,  at  least  not  in  those 
days,  but  played  the  same  part  to  society  that  a  barnacle  does 
to  a  ship.  That  it  should  turn  out  as  unfortunate  that  a  gen- 
tleman like  this  and  one  like  Mr.  Wilkins  should  accidentally 
meet,  the  sequel  will  show. 

When  Mr.  Nidd  passed  out  of  the  hotel,  at  the  conclusion 
of  Mr.  Wilkins's  short  story,  another  gentleman  passed  in ; 
and  it  was  not  long  before  the  gentleman  who  had  just  en- 
tered espied  Mr.  Wilkins.  To  a  stranger,  and  even  to  those 
who  knew  him  well,  Mr.  Wilkins's  appearance  was  at  times 
dec^eptive.  His  manner  was  that  of  a  man  of  the  world,  and 
when  Mr.  Goodsell  saw  him  he  felt  sure  that  there  was  fish 
for  his  net.  When  the  party  went  into  the  bar-room  to 
liquor  he  followed,  and  nodded  to  Wilkins  as  one  casual  ac- 
quaintance would  nod  to  another.  It  is  almost  superfluous  to 
say  that  Mr.  Wilkins  returned  the  nod  with  compound  interest. 

Mr.  Groodsell  knew  Mr.  Wilkins. 

Mr.  Wilkins  was  ready  to  swear  that  he  had  met  Mr.  Grood- 
sell at  the  verge  of  the  crater  of  Vesuvius. 


156  WOXTUS,'OR 

Mr.  Goodsell  recollected  the  circumstance  perfectly  well. 

Mr.  Wilkins  had  forprotten  his  name.  Mr.  Goodsell  gave 
it  to  him,  and  Mr.  Wilkins  introduced  him  to  the  Hon.  Mr. 
Leatherhead  and  the  rest.  The  military  men  smiled  know- 
ingly, and  all  drank.  Then  they  conversed  a  little  while,  and 
all  drank  again.  A  little  more  conversation,  and  all  drank 
again.  Mr.  Wilkins  was  very  polite  to  Mr.  Goodsell,  and 
Mr.  Goodsell  Wcis  very  polite  to  Mr.  Wilkins. 

Question  by  Hon.  Mr.  Leatherhead  :  '*  Will  you  gentlemen 
take  tea  with  me?" 

The  gentlemen  were  only  too  happy,  and  did  take  tea ; .  and 
after  that  visited  the  Canterbury,  where  they  drank  many 
times — so  many  times  that  Mr.  Goodsell  allowed  that  he  was 
"  a  little  yo»€,"  but  for  all  that  volunteered  to  accompany  Mr. 
Wilkins  home.  The  Hon.  Mr.  Leatherhead  and  the  military 
gentlemen  went  one  way,  and  Mr.  Wilkins  and  his  new-found 
friend  would  have  gone  another  had  it  not  been  that  that  fear- 
ful gTiard,  the  provost,  caught  them.  3Ir.  Wilkins  vowed  that 
he  belonged  to  the  French  embassy,  and  Mr.  Goodsell  was  not 
only  willing  to  swear  that  such  was  the  fact,  but  went  further, 
and  did  swear  it.  But  the  provost  was  incorrigible.  Mr. 
Goodsell  had  evidently  been  in  their  hands  before,  and  was 
summarily  dismissed ;  but  Mr.  Wilkins,  despite  his  most 
vehement  and  indignant  protests,  followed  by  magnificent 
promises  and  maudlin  entreaties,  was  marched  oflP  to  the 
guard-house. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  157 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


MAKES  USE  OF  THE  PRESIDENT  AND  LIBERATES  THE  HERO 
FROM   PRISON. 

"A  prison  is  a  house  of  care, 

A  place  where  none  can  thrive, 
A  touchstone  true  to  try  a  friend, 

A  grave  for  one  alive ; 
Sometimes  a  place  of  right, 

Sometimes  a  place  of  wrong, 
Sometimes  a  place  of  rogues  and  thieves, 

And  honest  men  among." 

These  lines,  or  tliouglits  of  similar  import,  ran  through  Mr. 
Wontus's  head,  as,  for  the  first  time,  he  permitted  his  eyes  to 
wander  calmly  from  object  to  object,  until  he  had  taken  a  full 
and  complete  survey  of  the  room  and  its  occupants.  The 
new-born  day  had  just  rolled  back  the  sombre  sheet  of  night 
and  opened  his  wondrous  eye,  so  full  of  light  and  beauty,  and 
Phoebus,  as  fresh  as  a  bridegroom  to  his  mate,  came  dancing 
forth,  smiling  as  he  did  so,  until  his  whole  path  was  lit  up 
with  the  dazzling  beauty  of  his  morning  robes.  From  far 
over  the  tree-tops  in  the  distant  east  came  the  brazen  glances 
of  Sol,  first  tinging  the  plumes  on  the  head  of  America  (on 
the  dome  of  the  Capitol)  with  his  golden  touch,  and  then 
throwing  aslant  his  glances  over  the  house-tops  until  they 
found  their  way  through  the  barred  windows  and  into  the 
guard-room  where  Mr.  Wontus  was  having  a  new  experience. 

Snoring  lustily  by  his  side  was  the  prostrate  form  of  Mr. 
Wilkins,  and  lying  in  different  parts  of  the  room  were  the 
forqas  of  the  men,  rendered  careless  and  hard  by  constant 
association  with  miseiy  and  death.  The  blast  of  trumpets 
and  the  beating  of  drums  sounding  the  reveille,  and  habit  soon 
brought  most  of  the  shapeless  masses  of  humanity  to  their 
feet,  and  they  assumed  the  form  of  men.  Mr.  Wontus  was 
on  his  feet, — in  fact,  he  had  been  in  that  position  most  of  the 
uight;  for  fear,  and  the  horrible  thought  that  through  his 

14 


158  wo  XT  us,  on 

ignorance  of  military  affairs  he  might  have  been  innocently 
guilty  of  some  act  which  made  him  amenable  to  the  law,  so 
worked  upon  his  nervous  system  that  he  would  have  found  it 
impossible  to  sleep  even  had  he  been  provided  with  a  com- 
fortable bed.  Reaction  had  set  in,  and  the  courage  which  he 
had  so  wonderfully  displayed  the  day  before  gently  simmered 
away,  until  morning  found  it  much  worse  than  it  had  been 
since  his  incarceration,  and  supplanted  by  the  most  distressing 
goblins  of  a  badly-shattered  and  distressed  mind.  He  en- 
deavored to  shake  off  the  feeling,  and  hoped  to  assist  himself 
in  so  doing  by  conversation  with  some  of  his  fellow-prisoners. 
His  Irish  friend  was  yet  stretched  out  upon  the  floor,  and  a 
desire  to  talk  with  somebody  induced  him  to  single  out  an 
individual.  Near  him,  sitting  on  the  floor,  with  his  feet 
drawn  up,  his  arms  locked  over  his  knees,  and  his  face  resting 
on  them,  was  a  soldier  whom  Mr.  Wontus  ventured  to  address. 

"  Good-morning,  sir,"  said  he,  speaking  in  a  low  and  modest 
tone.     ' '  Grood-morning. ' ' 

Mr.  Wontus  was  really  startled  at  the  sound  of  his  own 
voice,  but  the  soldier  neither  heeded  the  remark  nor  displayed 
the  slightest  indication  that  he  had  even  heard  him.  The  step 
once  taken,  Mr.  Wontus  felt  that  he  must  follow  it  up. 

"Good-morning,  sir,"  he  repeated;  this  time  a  little  louder 
than  before. 

No  movement  or  reply. 

"  Fine  morning,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  looking  toward  the 
grated  window. 

"  Go  to !"  shouted  the  soldier,  vehemently,  using  such 

language  as  made  even  Mr.  Wontus  tremble,  and  hence  would 
be  highly  improper  to  mention  here.  Its  effect  was  instanta- 
neous and  salutary,  for  Mr.  Wontus  at  once  shrank  back,  and 
thought  he  had  good  reason  to  venture  no  further  remarks. 

It  was  not  many  moments  after  the  instance  just  narrated, 
before  the  door  swung  open,  and  the  officer  of  the  guard  and 
a  file  of  men  walked  into  the  room,  and  shouted,  "  Fall  in, 
company  Q !" 

The  seventeenth  letter  of  the  alphabet  is  probably  not  one 
of  the  most  euphonious,  nor  should  it  be  understood  by  the 
unmilitary  mind  as  being  any  part  or  parcel  of  a  regimental 
organization,  and  yet  company  Q  was  quite  as  familiar  to  many 
men  in  the  army  as  any  other  company  was  to  the  regimental 


THE   COUPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  I59 

commander.  It  had,  at  the  time  I  write,  and  will  no  doubt 
continue  to  have,  one  most  striking  peculiarity,  that  is,  that 
it  never  needs  the  services  of  a  recruiting  officer  to  keep  it  up 
to  the  standard.  Another  thing  concerning  this  particular 
company  is  its  rather  paradoxical  condition  at  all  times,  viz., 
that  it  is  always  full,  even  if  it  has  but  one  man  in  it,  and  can 
be,  and  is,  dispensed  with  at  any  moment,  and  without  a  pang 
of  regret.  Other  companies  of  a  regiment  melt  away,  or  fall 
like  the  tender  grass  before  the  scythe,  and  are  spoken  of  in 
wonderful  whispers ;  but  company  Q  may  melt  (it  never  falls), 
but  it  will  not  stay  melted,  for  a  breath  may  instill  into  its  weak- 
ening ranks  all  the  excitement  and  vigor  of  a  giant.  To  continue. 
Slowly  and  sadly  the  men  ranged  themselves  along  one  side 
of  the  room,  preparatory  to  being  counted  and  answering  to 
the  call  of  the  roll.  The  noise  and  buj^tle  had  no  effect  upon 
Mr.  Wilkins,  further  than  to  induce  him  to  change  his  position 
a  little,  and  it  was  not  until  he  had  received  the  particular 
attention  of  the  toe  of  the  officer's  boot  that  he  managed  to  get 
himself  into  a  sitting  posture.  Among  the  things  that  I  have  often 
heard  of,  but  which  I  have  never  seen,  is  a  toad  eating  fire ; 
in  fact,  I  can  scarcely  bring  my  mind  to  believe  that  a  toad 
will  eat  fire  at  all,  at  least  voluntarily,  and  yet  I  have  been  in- 
formed on  more  than  one  occasion  that  certain  people's  eyes 
snapped  and  winked  "  like  a  toad  eating  fire."  Taking  it  for 
granted,  then,  that  a  toad  will  eat  fire,  and  that  his  eyes  will 
have  a  very  peculiar  appearance  during  the  moments  that  he 
is  indulging  in  that  rather  exciting  diet,  I  may  be  excused  for 
saying  that  Mr.  Wilkins's  eyes  snapped  like  a  toad  eating  fire, 
as  he  gazed  with  stupid  wonderment  at  his  surroundings.  As 
for  Mr.  AVontus,  he  had  an  idea,  which  was  soon  put  to  flight, 
however,  that  he  had  nothing  in  common  with  the  other  pris- 
oners, and  accordingly  walked  to  the  other  end  of  the  room. 
The  officer  had  kept  his  eye  on  Mr.  Wontus,  and  as  soon  as 
Wilkins  had  been  made  to  understand  what  was  expected  of 
him,  and  had  taken  his  place  in  the  ranks  of  company  Q,  the 
officer  commanded  Mr.  Wontus  to  come  forward  and  take  his 
place  in  the  ranks.  This  was  the  crowning  of  his  trouble;  and 
when  at  length  he  had  taken  his  place  in  the  line  and  answered 
to  his  name,  the  tears  welled  up  in  his  eyes,  and  he  gave  vent 
to  such  a  sigh  as  to  cause  the  soldiers  nearest  to  him  to  look 
upon  him  with  pity. 


160  WONTUS,  OR 

The  roll  called  and  the  prisoners  again  counted,  the  officer 
and  his  men  withdrew,  and  soon  after  breakfast  was  served. 
Now  this  breakfast  was  no  bettor  and  no  worse  than  the  sol- 
diers in  the  field  were  eating,  and  consisted  of  a  box  of  bread, 
a  piece  of  cold  boiled  pork,  and  a  tincup  of  coffee ;  but  had 
it  been  the  most  savory  dish  from  the  hand  of  Soyer,  Mr.  Won- 
tus  could  not  have  enjoyed  it.  Through  the  kindness  of  one 
of  his  fellow-prisoners,  who  loaned  him  his  cup,  ^Ir.  Wontus 
partook  of  a  little  coffee,  but  with  that  exception  he  fasted. 

3Ir.  Wilkius  had  evidently  slept  himself  into  forgetful ness, 
or  else  he  purposely  avoided  Mr.  Wontus,  for  both  names  were 
called  among  the  Ws;  at  any  rate,  he  did  not  come  in  contact 
with  him,  but  buried  himself  in  conversation  with  the  prison- 
ers. Mr.  Wontus  was  in  too  much  trouble  to  notice  this  par- 
ticularly, and  had  taken  his  place  in  a  dark  corner  of  the 
room,  when  the  well-remembered  voice  of  Michael  Skilligan 
shouted : 

"  Howly  Mother !  the  relief!  Hurrah,  boys,  the  new  guard's 
come;  but  we'll  be  out  o'  this  I  dunno  purty  soon!"  It 
cannot  be  known  whether  Mr.  Skilligan  meant  this  to  be  a 
mere  remembrance  of  pleasure,  or  whether  he  intended  it  as 
an  interrogatory;  but  whatever  it  was  intended  for,  it  appeared 
to  answer  all  purposes,  and  at  once  the  men  gathered  up  their 
blankets  and  clustered  about  the  doorway. 

''Come  out  o'  that,  ye  auld  guffin,"  cried  the  Irishman, 
beckoning  vigorously  to  Mr.  Wontus.  Mr.  Wontus  obeyed, 
and  took  his  place  at  the  end  of  the  line.  Wilkins  was  some 
distance  ahead  of  him,  but  he  now  noticed  Mr.  Wontus,  and, 
with  certain  grimaces  and  contortions,  insisted  on  Wontus 
taking  his  place.  W.  answered  only  by  a  melancholy  inclina- 
tion of  the  head,  and  the  doors  being  opened,  the  prisoners 
were  marched  out.  Mr.  Wontus  followed  in  the  line,  and  was 
persuading  himself  to  insist  on  an  apology  for  the  treatment 
he  had  experienced;  but  when  he  came  to  pass  through  the 
door  the  guard  placed  his  musket  across  the  way,  and  re- 
marked, as  he  shut  the  door  with  a  bang : 

"  You  can't  go  just  now,  mister.  Only  the  boys  that  have 
to  join  their  regiments  are  wanted."  And  Mr.  Wontus  tottered 
back  into  the  guard-house,  and  paced  the  floor  in  a  condition 
of  mind  bordering  on  insanity. 

Let  us  now  return  to  the  other  members  of  the  corps. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  IGl 

With  tremendous  strides  Gascon  Nidd  passed  tlirougli  the 
City  Hall  square,  up  E  to  Seventh,  thence  to  F,  and  thence 
to  the  Avenue  and  Seventeenth  Street.  Having,  by  inquiry, 
ascertained  that  the  commandant  of  the  city  was  in  his  office, 
Mr.  Nidd  rushed  through  the  crowd  which  thronged  the  side- 
walk, and  no  doubt  would  have  made  his  way  immediately  to 
the  presence  of  the  general,  had  it  not  been  for  the  persuasions 
of  one  of  the  boys  in  blue,  who,  the  more  Mr.  Nidd  insisted 
on  passing  him,  the  more  he  insisted  that  he  should  not;  and 
it  was  not  until  that  gentleman  had  been  forced  back  into  the 
crowd  that  he  bethought  himself  of  the  necessity  of  caution 
and  clever  engineering.  He  wrote  his  name  on  a  card,  and, 
doing  it  up  in  a  bill,  he  gave  it  to  a  messenger,  and  begged 
that  it  be  presented.  Mr.  Nidd  was  shown  up  in  a  few  mo- 
ments, while  men  who  came  before  him,  but  who  were  not 
possessed  of  the  "open  sesame,"  waited. 

His  name  was  announced,  and  he  was  shown  into  the  pres- 
ence of  the  commandant.  Mr.  Nidd  was  accustomed  to  cut- 
ting business  short,  and,  without  unnecessary  delay,  he  laid 
the  whole  affair  of  Mr.  Wontus's  arrest  before  the  officer. 

"  Very  sorry,  sir,"  said  the  general,  "  but  that's  a  very  se- 
rious charge ;  and  while  what  you  say  may  be  perfectly  true, 
yet  I  do  not  feel  like  acting  hastily  in  the  matter." 

"Who  is  his  accuser?'  asked  Mr.  Nidd. 

The  officer  took  some  papers  up  and  announced  that  the 
charge  was  signed  by  a  lady  by  the  name  of  Battadore. 

"  The  landlady  !"  cried  Mr.  Nidd.  "  I  thought  so  !"  And  then 
he  undertook  to  explain  how  the  charges  were  entirely  false  and 
groundless  ;  how  an  act  of  kindness  was  made  to  appear  a  crime. 

The  general  listened  patiently,  and  at  the  conclusion  of  Mr. 
Nidd's  remarks  proceeded  to  say  that  the  government  had  ex- 
perienced so  much  treachery  in  the  most  unlooked-for  places, 
that  it  had  been  determined  upon  to  throttle  treason  wherever 
it  was  found.  He  was  sorry  to  hear  that  a  gentleman  like  Mr. 
AVontus  should  be  among  the  sufferers,  but  as  the  charges  had 
been  made,  and  he  knew  nothing  concerning  the  truth  or  falsity 
of  them,  he  considered  it  his  duty  to  investigate  them.  He 
could  not  tell  when  the  investigation  would  take  place,  but  he 
hoped  within  a  day  or  two.  As  he  concluded,  he  rang  a  bell, 
ind  a  man  presented  himself  who  had  lost  a  horse,  and  believed 
1-0  had  been  stolen,  but  by  whom  he  could  not  say, — never- 

14* 


162  woxTcs;  or 

theless  he  believed  it  was  the  soldiprs,  and  ho  had  come  to 
secure  the  money  vahie  of  the  hor.se  from  the  government. 

Mr.  Xidd  saw  that  he  was  to  receive  no  further  attention, 
and  having  given  his  address  to  tlie  commandant,  he  left  the 
building  sorely  troubled.  At  first  he  thought  he  would  go  to 
see  ]Mr.  Wontus,  but  it  occurred  to  him  that  unless  he  had 
good  news  for  him  he  had  better  remain  away ;  and  it  was 
while  these  thoughts  were  pa.ssing  through  his  head  that  it  oc- 
cuired  to  him  that  it  might  result  in  some  good  for  him  to  call 
on  Mr.  Lincoln.  Passing  down  the  avenue,  he  proceeded 
directly  to  the  White  House. 

It  was  yet  early — scarcely  nine  o'clock,  I  think — when  he 
walked  in  and  proceeded  directly  to  the  waiting-room.  Once 
here  a  sight  met  his  eyes  which  at  once  gave  him  the  true  in- 
terpretation of  Mr.  Lincoln's  care-worn  look.  The  waiting- 
room  itself  was  not  only  filled  to  overflowing  with  people,  but 
the  halls  and  lobbies  had  each  their  quota.  A  gentleman  sat 
at  a  desk  in  the  centre  of  the  room  and  received  the  cards  of 
the  visitors  as  they  were  presented,  and  gave  such  information 
to  inquiries  as  was  called  for.  Here  were  women  robed  in  the 
weeds  of  mourning,  who  came  to  ask  the  intercession  of  the 
chief  magistrate  of  the  nation  for  a  son,  now  languishing  in 
some  one  of  the  prison-pens  of  the  South.  Here,  a  man  whose 
son  had  enlisted  in  the  army  against  his  will ;  there,  a  woman 
with  brazen  effrontery  demanding  pay  for  a  barn  in  which  she 
had  concealed  a  party  of  the  enemy ;  here,  an  ofiicer  who  had 
been  dismissed  the  service,  and  wished  to  be  reinstated ;  there, 
a  congressman  who  wished  a  place  for  his  henchman ;  yonder, 
a  man  who  asks  a  contract ;  there,  a  general  who  wishes  to 
complain  of  the  treatment  he  had  received  from  his  superior ; 
here,  a  man  who  wishes  to  advise  as  to  the  proper  mode  of 
conducting  the  war ;  and  scores  of  others  stand  by,  eager  and 
determined  to  secure  the  private  ear  of  the  President.  How 
many  tales  of  woe  and  sorrow ;  how  many  stories  of  falseness 
and  cruelty ;  how  many  words  indicative  of  all  the  different 
passions  which  actuate  men,  does  this  man  have  to  listen  to 
each  day,  thought  Mr.  Xidd,  as  he  surveyed  the  groups ;  and 
then  he  added,  who  would  be  the  President  of  the  republic 
at  such  a  time  as  this  ?  He  answered  the  query  himself  and 
declared  that  with  all  his  poverty  and  obscurity  he  would  not 
change  places. 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  163 

It  was  over  an  hour  Qre  Mr.  Nidd  succeeded  in  being  pre- 
sented to  tlie  President,  and  during  all  this  time  the  crowd  of 
visitors  multiplied,  until  there  was  scarcely  standing  room 
left. 

"Mr.  Gascon  Nidd  !"  shouted  the  usher,  and  Mr.  Nidd  fol- 
lowed him  into  the  room  and  stood  in  the  presence  of  the 
President.  He  sat  at  his  desk  writing,  and  the  same  sad 
smile  played  about  his  mouth  and  looked  out  of  his  eyes. 

"  Well,  sir,"  asked  the  President,  in  a  commonplace,  weary 
tone,  "  what  can  I  do  for  you?"  As  he  spoke  he  looked  up, 
and  seeing  the  tall  form  of  Mr.  Nidd  bowing  before  him  like 
a  slender  reed  bows  to  the  wind,  his  eye  lit  up,  and  reaching 
out  his  hand,  remarked,  "  You  want  something;  sit  down." 

What  in  Mr.  Nidd  had  been  respect  before  was  now  ven- 
eration, and  he  felt  as  he  never  felt  before,  and  never  expected 
to  be  made  feel  by  mortal  man.  The  multitude  of  people  who 
had  seen  the  President  already  this  morning,  and  the  throng 
yet  to  come,  presented  themselves  before  him  like  the  figures 
of  a  vision,  and  he  felt  that  it  would  be  better  in  him  to  seek 
some  other  channel. 

"Excuse  me,  sir,"  remarked  the  President,  after  a  brief 
pause ;  "I  have  much  to  attend  to,  as  you  see,  for  I  must 
speak  a  comforting  word  to  all  these  people  who  come  to  me 
with  their  troubles,  as  well  as  attend  to  the  other  business  of 
my  office.  What  can  I  do  for  you  ?  I  know  you  want  some- 
thing." 

"Mr.  Lincoln,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  apologetically,  "I  am  very 
sorry  to  have  to  trouble  you, — you  v/ho  have  so  much  to  at- 
tend to,  and  I " 

"Never  mind,  my  friend;  we  have  no  time  for  apologies; 
speak  what  you  wish."  And  the  President's  long  fingers 
moved  nervously,  as  though  they  would  go  on  with  the  work 
of  their  own  volition. 

Mr.  Nidd  comprehended  the  case  and  at  once  commenced 
giving  the  President  a  history  of  Mr.  Wontus's  situation  in 
the  clearest  possible  manner,  not  forgetting  to  put  forth  his 
philanthropy  and  patriotism  in  the  very  best  possible  light. 
The  President  listened  patiently,  and  at  the  conclusion  asked 
Mr.  Nidd  if  he  could  call  again  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening. 
"  I  can  give  you  no  good  reason  to  hope,"  said  the  President, 
as  Mr.  Nidd  moved  toward  the  door,  "  but  call  at  that  hour, 


1(54  WON  TVS,  OR 

and  we  will  sog  what  can  be  done ;  in  the  mean  time  go  see 
your  friend,  and  tell  him  to  be  of  good  cheer ;  to  never  say 
die  ;  the  darkest  hour,  you  know,  is  just  before  day.  I  some- 
times think  that  it  is  the  hour  before  day  with  our  army,  and 
that  it  is  not  rightly  awake  yet."  And  smiling,  he  touched 
the  bell,  the  usher  appeared,  Mr.  Nidd  walked  out,  and  others 
took  his  place. 

Xidd  at  once  proceeded  to  the  guard-house,  where  he  had  a 
rather  distressing  and  protracted  interview  with  Mr.  Wontus, 
who,  after  having  the  affair  fully  explained  to  him,  appeared 
to  gain  back  some  of  his  lost  spirit  and  courage,  and  his  friend 
lef^him  after  a  time  in  a  condition  as  cheerful  as  any  man 
could  be  who  was  confined  in  prison  for  befriending  the  cause 
that  imprisoned  him  ;  for  as  yet  Mr.  Wontus  was  entirely  at 
sea  concerning  the  reason  for  the  charges. 

On  arriving  at  his  lodgings  the  first  individual  Nidd  met 
was  Mr.  AYilkius,  who  had  attended  to  his  wardrobe,  and  pre- 
sented quite  a  respectable  appearance.  When  Mr.  Nidd  in- 
formed him  that  Wontus  was  in  the  guard-house,  Wilkins 
elevated  his  eyebrows,  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  remarked 
in  the  most  commonplace  way  that  he  had  only  left  him  a 
few  hours  since,  and  knew  all  about  it.  Mr.  Nidd  quite  for- 
got the  use  that  Mr.  Wilkins  had  made  of  his  name  the  even- 
ing previous,  and  with  more  interest  than  he  usually  displayed, 
insisted  on  Wilkins  telling  him  all  about  it.  As  the  reader 
is  already  aware  that  he  knew  nothing  of  the  incarceration  of 
Mr.  Wontus,  except  the  mere  fact  that  he  had  seen  him  in 
the  guard-house,  it  is  only  necessar}"  to  state  that  his  story  to 
Mr.  Nidd  was  strangely  at  variance  with  the  facts,  because  he 
avowed  that  he  had  insisted  on  being  confined  simply  that  he 
might  be  enabled  to  protect  and  afibrd  Mr.  Wontus  the  solace 
of  company. 

'•  Much  to  my  regret,"  he  continued,  '•  Mr.  Wontus  didn't 
want  any  company,  and  paid  as  little  attention  to  me  as  he 
could." 

Mr.  Nidd's  next  business  was  to  find  the  landlady,  which 
he  did  without  trouble,  that  lady  being  very  close  to  the  door 
and  in  a  position  which  might  suggest  that  she  had  been  list- 
ening. Mr.  Nidd  opened  the  business  in  rather  sharp,  legal 
style,  and  before  the  lady  was  rightly  aware  of  what  he  was 
saying,  had  showered  upon  her  such  a  quantity  of  language, 


THE   CORPS   OF   OnSERVATfOy.  1G5 

in  which  the  words  lie,  flilse  charges,  meanness,  sick  woman, 
and  jealousy  were  prominently  set  forth,  that  at  the  conclusion 
the  lady  said  he  was  a  brute,  and  that  she  should  faint,  and 
accordingly  passed  to  her  own  apartment  to  indulge  in  that 
luxury. 

Following  this,  Mr.  Nidd  insisted  on  Thomas  Thomson  es- 
corting him  up-stairs  and  introducing  him  to  the  sick  woman. 
Mr.  Thomson  reluctantly  consented,  and  it  was  done.  Mr. 
Nidd  was  not  exactly  prepared  to  meet  the  sight  afforded  him 
on  entering  the  room,  and  he  quailed  beneath  the  flashing  eye 
that  met  his.  The  lady  asked  him  twice  what  his  business 
was  before  he  answered ;  but  finally  he  found  his  tongue,  and 
gave  her  the  full  particulars  as  far  as  his  knowledge  went,  not 
once  forgetting,  however,  to  give  to  the  treacherous  landlady 
her  full  quantum  of  credit.  The  invalid  expressed  pain,  mor- 
tification, and  sorrow,  and  blamed  herself  for  being  the  sole 
cause  of  all  JMr.  Wontus's  trouble. 

Before  Nidd  had  seen  the  lady  he  was  fully  convinced 
that  she  had  considerable  to  answer  for  in  the  matter ;  but 
now  that  he  had  seen  her,  that  she  was  before  him,  such 
thoughts  faded  away,  and  he  was  ready  to  avow,  in  the 
strongest  terms  necessary,  that  she  was  in  no  way  answerable. 
She  recounted  Mr.  Wontus's  many  virtues ;  how  noble- 
hearted  and  kind  he  was,  and  how  he  saved  her  and  her  child 
from  a  condition  of  abject  poverty  and  misery.  It  is  probable 
that  Mr.  Nidd  spent  a  longer  time  than  was  absolutely  neces- 
sary with  the  invalid ;  but,  like  other  things,  the  interview 
had  an  end,  and  he  and  Mr.  Thomson,  who  had  been  present 
all  the  time,  started  to  leave  the  room.  I  say  started,  because 
Mr.  Nidd  did  not  go  just  at  that  moment,  but  stopped  to  take 
another  look  and  mention  the  fact  that  he  had  an  appointment 
with  the  President  in  Mr.  Wontus's  behalf. 

"  I  pray  you  do  not  heed  that  cruel  monster !"  cried  the 
lady,  at  the  mention  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  name. 

"  Why  not?"  inquired  Mr.  Nidd,  somewhat  surprised. 

"  Oh,  the  untold  misery,  the  cruelty,  the  treachery  of  that 
man  !"  cried  the*lady  ;  ^'  that  heathen,  which  I  can  only  liken 
unto  a  Vandal !  The  very  mention  of  his  name  makes  me 
shudder !"      And  she  covered  her  face  with  her  hands. 

"  Umph  !"  ejaculated  Mr.  Nidd.  And  then,  after  a  mo- 
ment's pause,  he  said,  in  a  slow,  earnest  manner:  "Madam, 


166  W  ox  TVS,  OR 

until  very  recently  I  thought  as  you  do.  I  had  not  seen  the 
man.  I  did  not  know  him.  I  had  heard  people  speak  of  him 
as  you  have  spoken  of  him,  even  in  my  own  city;  and  I  could 
agree  with  them  then,  but  now  I  cannot.  I  have  no  desire  to 
force  an  opinion  upon  you  which  may  be  distasteful  to  you, 
but  it  is  a  simple  duty  which  I  consider  one  owes  to  his  fel- 
low-man to  speak  of  a  man  as  you  find  him.  Politically,  I 
have  opposed  Abraham  Lincoln  ;  but  if  he  were  a  candidate 
for  the  presidenc}'  tomorrow.  I  would  vote  for  him.  I  have 
met  him,  and  have  seen  with  my  own  eyes  that  a  nobler- 
hearted,  more  upright.  Christian  man  never  lived  since  the 
days  of  Washington.  This  I  know,  this  I  feel,  and,  madam, 
I  stand  by  it.  If  you — even  you — had  seen  what  I  have 
seen  to-drt}^,  if  you  could  have  seen  his  patience  and  heard  his 
kind  words  to  people  who  come  to  him  with  the  most  trifling 
complaints,  I  am  sure  you  would — every  just  and  honorable 
person  would — agree  with  me.  I  will  keep  my  engagement." 
Having  said  this,  Mr.  Nidd  did  not  wait  for  a  reply,  but 
walked  quickly  down  the  stairs. 

At  eight  o'clock  3Ir.  Xidd  was  at  the  presidential  mansion. 
The  night  was  cloudy,  and  the  street  lamps  were  just  bright 
enough  along  the  wide  avenue  to  present  everything  in  its 
gloomiest  light.  The  doorkeeper  had  taken  Mr.  Nidd's  card 
up,  and  the  visitor  threw  himself  into  a  chair,  and  was  busy 
with  his  thoughts,  when  a  hand  was  laid  upon  his  shoulder, 
and  the  President  stood  before  him.  Mr.  Xidd  rose  quickly, 
and  gi'asping  the  extended  hand,  looked  at  him  as  though  he 
were  a  spectre  who  had  thus  suddenly  come  upon  him.  Mr. 
Lincoln  wore  a  slouch  hat,  well  pulled  down  over  his  face,  and  a 
long  suitout,  which  hung  in  loose  folds  about  his  slender  person. 

"Are  you  ready?"  he  asked,  in  a  mild,  quiet  tone.  '^We 
have  but  little  time,  for  I  have  an  engagement  with  the  Sec- 
retary of  War  at  nine  o'clock,  which  nothing  short  of  death 
should  defer." 

Mr.  Nidd  signified  that  he  was  ready,  and  the  two  gentle- 
men started  out  together,  and  pa.ssed  quietly  through  the 
grounds  and  into  the  street.  As  they  walked"  along.  3Ir.  Nidd 
looked  at  the  tall  form  of  the  President,  and  tried  to  guess  his 
thoughts.  What  were  they?  Perhaps  with  the  army,  which 
lies  surrounding  the  States  in  rebellion  ;  perhaps  with  some 
poor,  unfortunate  boy,  whose  ignorance  of  duty  had  brought 


THE  conrs  of  observation.  ig7 

litm  to  the  vorpie  of  disgrace,  perhaps  death  ;  perhaps  with  liis 
own  family  and  little  ones ;  but  surely  not  with  himself 

"Are  you  not  afraid,  sir?"  asked  Mr.  Nidd,  as  they  walked 
alonu;. 

''Afraid!"  echoed  Mr.  Lincoln.  "Why  should  I  be 
afraid?     Surely,  I  have  done  no  harm  to  any  man."' 

"  Yes,  yes,"  cried  Mr.  Nidd.  "  But  all  the  people  of  the 
whole  South  are  your  enemies,  and  there  are  also  many  in  the 
North  who  hate  you." 

"  My  friend,"  said  the  President,  moderating  his  gait  and 
speaking  earnestly,  "  I  understand  you ;  but  that  I  am  here 
with  you  is  an  evidence  that  I  am  not  afraid.  I  have  a  deep 
and  abiding  faith  in  Him  who  doeth  all  things  well.  If  I  am 
to  die,  I  stand  ready  at  all  times  to  obey  His  will.  I  would 
not  voluntarily  throw  myself  into  danger,  for  I  feel  that  I 
have  a  duty  to  perform  before  I  shall  be  called  away ;  and  yet 
(his  voice  assumed  a  deeper  tone  as  he  spoke),  could  my  poor 
life  save  the  country  in  this  hour  of  danger, — could  it  avert 
the  misery  which  this  terrible  war  must  entail  upon  the 
people, — I  would  give  it,  not  only  willingly,  but  gladly.  I 
have  made  every  overture  to  the  South  that  an  honorable  man 
could  or  the  loyal  people  will  allow  ;  but  they  scoff  at  my  best 
endeavors,  and  seek  to  destroy  that  which  I  have  sworn  to 
protect  and  preserve.  No,  no,  my  friend.  I  feel  that  I  am 
entirely  in  the  hands  of  my  Maker,  and  I  pray  to  Him  to  give 
me  the  strength  and  courage  to  do  my  duty.  Yes,  the  day 
will  come  when  I  shall  pass  away ;  but  when  it  does,  believe 
me  that  I  shall  be  prepared  to  bow  in  deep  submission  to  Him 
who  rules  the  high  and  low  alike." 

Mr.  Nidd  was  deeply  affected  with  the  manner  and  language 
of  the  President,  and  nothing  more  was  said  until  they  arrived 
opposite  the  guard-house. 

"  I  do  not  want  to  be  known,  if  I  can  help  it,"  said  Mr. 
Lincoln,  "  and  you  must  assist  me  in  preserving  my  incog. 
Insist  on  seeing  the  officer  of  the  guard,  and  then,  if  neces- 
sary,— if  we  cannot  see  your  friend  without, — I  shall  make 
myself  known." 

As  they  approached,  an  officer  was  standing  in  the  door- 
way, who  scrutinized  them  closely  as  they  entered. 

"  You  have  a  prisoner  here  by  the  name  of  Wontus?"  said 
iMr.  Nidd,  approaching  him.     "  I  would  like  to  see  him." 


168  WOXTUS,  OR 

"  Impossible,  sir,  at  this  hour." 

"  Not  for  a  moment?" 

*'  Not  for  a  second,  sir." 

"  This  gentleman  is  an  attorney,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  pointing 
to  the  President.  "  Can't  he  be  brought  into  the  office  for  a 
moment?" 

"  I  have  no  objections  myself,  gentlemen,  but  the  orders  are 
very  strict,  and  I  do  not  care  to  take  the  responsibility  of 
breaking  them." 

"  Would  that  all  the  officers  were  that  way !"  said  Mr.  Lin- 
coln, in  a  whisper. 

"Is  the  general  here, — the  military  governor?"  inquired 
Mr.  Nidd. 

"  No,  sir ;  he  is  at  his  room,  I  presume." 

"  Is  there  any  one  here  who  acts  for  him  in  his  absence  ?" 
asked  Nidd. 

"  The  Officer  of  the  Day — that  gentleman  there — does  so 
occasionally."  And  he  pointed  to  an  officer  who,  at  that 
moment,  was  passing  along  the  hall. 

Mr.  Nidd  attacked  this  officer  immediatel}',  and  with  strong 
pleading  at  length  induced  him  to  have  Mr.  Wontus  brought 
to  the  office.  When  he  came  in  he  looked  bad,  very  bad. 
His  eyes  were  swollen  and  red,  his  unkempt  hair  fell  in  tangled 
masses  about  his  face,  and  he  was  but  a  wreck  of  the  jolly, 
good-natured  Wontus.  There  wasn't  spirit  enough  in  him  to 
greet  Mr.  Nidd,  and  it  was  only  by  dint  of  persuasion  that  he 
was  induced  to  sit  down  and  be  composed. 

The  President  soon  took  a  seat  by  his  side,  and  as  they  were 
alone  in  the  room,  except  the  guard,  he  commenced  a  conversa- 
tion with  Mr.  Wontus,  following  about  the  same  line  that  an 
honest  attorney  would  before  accepting  a  retainer.  He  inquired 
fully  into  Mr.  Wontus' s  aims  and  intentions,  and  then  offered  his 
sei-vices  as  a  volunteer  counsel.  To  this  Mr.  Wontus  would 
not  agree  ;  he  had  done  nothing,  and  he  would  rather  languish 
in  prison  all  his  life  than  make  an  effort  to  clear  himself  of  a 
charge  which  had  no  foundation,  and  thereby  give  color  to  the 
proceedings.  At  the  end  of  the  conversation  Mr.  Lincoln 
took  Nidd  aside,  and  informed  him  that  he  believed  his  friend 
to  be  unquestionably  guiltless,  and  that  he  should  be  instantly 
liberated. 

'*  Good-by,  sir,"  said  the  President,  taking  Mr.  Wontus's 


TTIE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION,  't  1^9 

fevered,  tremblinp;  Lands  in  his  and  looking  at  him  with  sym- 
pathy beaming  in  his  eye.  "  I  think  I  can  satisfy  the  Secre- 
tary of  War  of  your  innocence,  although  he  has  the  reputation 
of  being  a  cold  man ;  and  if  I  am  successful,  you  will  be  lib- 
erated in  a  few  minutes.  Good-by,  sir,"  he  repeated.  "  Your 
friend  must  fetch  you  to  see  me."  And  saying  this  he  walked 
out  of  the  room. 

Ten  minutes  had  passed  since  he  left,  and  yet  no  word.  Mr, 
Nidd  was  becoming  nervous ;  Mr,  Wontus  was  resigned.  The 
guard  had  twice  suggested  that  Mr.  Wontus  ought  to  return 
to  the  "  parlor"  ;  but  Nidd  begged  but  a  minute  more  time, 
and  he  sat  listening  for  the  footsteps  of  the  messenger. 

"  He  comes !"  cried  Nidd,  as  voices  were  heard  in  the  hall. 
The  sound  of  voices  was  soon  followed  by  the  officer,  accom- 
panied by  a  soldier  in  undress  uniform,  and  stepping  up  to  the 
light,  the  officer  read  a  paper  which  had  just  been  presented 
to  him.  ''  You  are  free  to  depart,  sir,"  said  he,  turning  to  Mr. 
Wontus.  But  the  words  had  scarcely  died  upon  his  lips  when 
Mr.  Wontus  swooned  away.  With  Nidd  the  good  news  had 
quite  a  different  effect.  He  at  once  became  very  affectionate, 
and,  besides  doing  very  many  other  strange  things,  insisted  on 
embracing  the  messenger  from  the  Secretary  of  War,  which 
kindness  was  respectfully  but  positively  declined.  Leaving  the 
officer  to  attend  to  Mr.  Wontus,  Mr.  Nidd  rushed  out,  and  in 
a  few  moments  returned  with  a  carriage.  He  found  Mr.  Won- 
tus entirely  recovered  from  his  swoon,  and  scarcely  taking  time 
to  thank  the  officer  for  his  services  in  the  premises,  he  escorted 
his  friend  to  the  vehicle,  and  was  soon  rattling  down  the 
avenue  toward  his  lodgings. 


15 


170  *  •       WONTUS,  OR 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

SOMEWHAT   PHILOSOPHICAL WONTUS  AND  NIDD  VISIT  THE 

PRESIDENT    AND    MAKE    SOME    EXPLANATIONS. 

Men  who  are  always  precisely  in  the  same  mood  or  humor 
are  so  exceedingly  rare  that  I  have  often  wondered,  and  so 
have  others.  I  presume,  when  reading  works  of  fiction,  whether 
the  writers  had  drawn  their  characters  from  real  life,  or  whether 
their  existence  was  merely  the  fanciful  picture  of  the  brain. 
Of  course  there  are  always  particular  veins  of  character  which 
stand  out  more  prominently  than  others,  and  which  may,  and 
no  doubt  do,  cling  to  people  almost  from  the  cradle  to  the 
grave ;  but  to  see  a  man  or  woman  who  is  the  same  at  all 
times  and  under  all  circumstances  is  really  something  extraor- 
dinary. Mr.  Nidd  probably  came  nearer  the  stereotyped  indi- 
vidual than  any  of  the  other  members  of  the  corps,  and  yet  I 
have  seen  him,  too,  change  in  many  things.  In  Mr.  Wontus, 
none  who  know  him  well,  since  he  set  out  on  his  travels,  look 
for  much  stability  of  temper,  because  it  is  well  known  that  his 
disposition  is  such  that  he  can  be  easily  impressed,  and  be  very 
ardent  in  whatever  direction  his  mind  turns.  He  lives  in  the 
present,  and  looks  only  at  the  bright  side  of  the  future  and  the 
past.  Being  of  this  nature,  he  no  sooner  found  himself 
once  more  in  the  enjoyment  of  his  liberty  than  he  forgot  his 
recent  misery,  and  was  willing  to  look  over  it,  and  even  forget 
those  who  had  inflicted  it  on  him.  Not  so  with  Mr.  Nidd. 
That  gentleman  insisted  on  having  the  landlady  arrested  and 
made  to  pay  for  the  trouble  she  had  caused,  and  he  would 
probably  have  attended  to  the  matter  himself  had  it  not  been 
that  Mr.  Wontus  expressly  forbid  anything  of  the  kind. 

Once  in  the  house,  Mr.  Wontus  received  the  congratulations 
of  the  corps.  Mr.  Thomson  was  affected  to  tears,  while  Mr. 
Wilkins's  countenance  lit  up  with  a  conscious  importance  of 
the  prominent  part  he  had  played  in  the  aihiir,  for  it  should 
be  understood  that  that  gentleman  had  come  to  believe  that 
he  had  been  instrumental,  in  some  way  or  another,  in  securing 


THE   CORPS   OF  OBSERVATION.  171 

the  release  of  i\Ir.  "Wontus.  But  Mr.  Wontiis  was  too  much 
fatigued  to  either  listen  to  or  indulge  in  much  conversation, 
and  after  a  complete  change  of  attire  he  retired  to  bed,  and 
dreamed  that  the  corps  was  a  huge  chain  of  iron,  whose  links 
were  welded  together  with  a  fire  of  the  strongest  love.  Not- 
withstanding the  hardness  of  the  material  used  in  creating 
this  vision  in  his  sleep,  Mr.  Wontus's  rest  was  soft  and  peace- 
ful, and  the  morning  found  him  a  rejuvenated  man.  His  fii'st 
business,  and,  in  fact,  only  business,  after  breakfast  was  to 
dispatch  Thomas  Thomson  to  the  room  of  Mrs.  Catherine 
Flick,  to  know  whether  she  would  receive  him.  During 
Tommy's  absence,  Mr.  Nidd  gave  Mr.  Wontus  a  full  and 
graphic  description  of  his  interview  with  the  President,  and 
the  part  Mr.  Lincoln  had  taken  in  his  release. 

"  x\nd  that  was  his  hand — the  President's  hand — that  I 
grasped  last  night !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus.  "  God  bless  him  !  I 
will  go  to  see  him, — we  will  all  go  to  see  him,  and  I  will  thank 
him.  What  wouldn't  I  do  for  such  a  man !  (A  pause.) 
And  that  was  the  President,  Abraham  Lincoln, — Abraham  the 
just !"  As  he  spoke  a  most  happy  smile  played  over  his 
face,  and  he  went  on  echoing  the  President's  name  until  his 
soliloquy  was  interrupted  by  the  entrance  of  Tommy,  who  in- 
formed him  that  the  lady  was  glad  to  hear  of  his  safe  return, 
and  would  be  pleased  to  see  him. 

A  single  man,  with  a  fair  amount  of  learning,  is  generally 
one  of  two  things  in  the  presence  of  ladies, — either  very  much 
of  a  lamb  or  very  much  of  a  lion.  Mr.  Wontus  was  always 
the  former.  He  felt  that  this  was  awkward  and  unbecoming, 
and  he  had  often  endeavored  to  strike  what  is  called  a  happy 
medium,  but  he  was  never  successful,  and  like  most  men 
similarly  situated,  he  thought  on  more  than  one  occasion  that 
he  did  not  care  for  ladies'  society  in  the  least.  Facts  spoke 
differently. 

He  had  dashed  up  the  stairs  very  much  as  a  man  would 
dash  who  had  a  perfect  right  to  dash  anywhere,  and  it  was  not 
until  he  had  knocked  at  Mrs.  Flick's  door  that  he  bethought 
himself  of  his  situation.  Before  the  other  members  of  the 
party,  particularly  Nidd,  knew  of  his  acquaintance  with  the 
lady,  he  had  felt  comparatively  at  ease,  but  now  he  was  sure 
that  all  eyes  were  upon  him,  and  he  felt  correspondingly  un- 
comfortable.    It  was  with  an   effort   that  he  succeeded   in 


172  WOXTUS,  OB 

answering  to  the  summons  to  "  come  in,"  by  croinjr  in.  Once 
inside,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  lady  for  whom  he  now  had 
a  new  and  sudden  and  most  unconquerable  respect,  he  stam- 
mered out  an  apology  for  presenting  himself  thus  early  in  the 
morning,  but  laid  it  to  a  desire  to  see  the  little  one.  It  was  a 
happy  idea,  and  he  thought  so,  as  he  expressed  it  in  language, 
and  at  once  set  about  an  extravagant  hugging  and  kissing  of 
the  child.  Absence  of  a  few  hours  had  made  him  almost  a 
stranger  again.  He  looked  as  though  he  would  like  to  cease 
hugging  the  child  long  before  he  did  cease,  but  he  was  at  a 
loss  what  else  to  do ;  open  the  convei-sation  he  could  not,  and 
he  was  only  prevented  from  smothering  the  child  entirely  by 
the  mother  expressing  her  sympathy  fur  him  in  his  late 
troubles.  He  was  about  to  say  in  reply  that  he  was  very 
happy  to  have  undergone  the  trouble,  when  it  struck  him  that 
that  would  not  be  exactly  the  thing,  so  he  said  nothing.  He 
talked  that  particular  language  which  most  people  have  an  idea 
is  necessary  on  such  occasions,  and  which  I  may  be  excused 
for  calling  "  lingo."  to  the  child,  but  as  the  little  chemb  could 
make  no  intelligible  reply  to  his  many  expressions  of  love, 
admiration,  and  so  forth,  he  soon  relapsed  into  a  silence  quite 
expressive. 

I  have  never  been  able  exactly  to  understand  why  it  is 
that  women  are  braver  in  their  conversation  among  men  than 
men  are  among  women,  but  it  has  often  occurred  to  me  that 
such  was  a  fact.  Now,  whether  this  condition  of  thing-s  comes 
from  an  innate  innocence,  and  hence  confidence,  on  the  part  of 
Womankind,  or  is  due  to  her  great  reputation  for  conversational 
powei-s,  is  something  beyond  the  scope  of  my  philosophy. 
Even  commonplace  observers  cannot  fail  to  have  noticed  that 
when  a  young  woman  or  a  middle-aged  woman  and  a  young 
man  or  a  middle-aged  man  are  thrown  together,  that  the  young 
woman  generally  not  only  leads  the  conversation,  but  does  a 
greater  part  of  it.  Of  course  there  are  exceptions  to  the  rule, 
but  they  are  few.  I  am  unable  to  say  whether  women  nci-ice 
this  fact  and  indulge  themselves  accordingly,  or  whether  it  is 
a  part  and  parcel  of  their  sweet  natures.  I  am  inclined  to 
think,  however,  that  they  do  notice  it.  and  these  thoughts  are 
in  a  manner  verified  by  the  fact  that  Mrs.  Flick,  without  ap- 
pearing to  notice  Mr.  Wontus's  bashfulness.  carried  on  such  a 
stream  of  conversation  that  the  gentleman  finally  found  courage 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  173 

enough  to  put  the  child  on  the  floor  and  participate  in  the 
convcu'sation.  An  honorable,  I  may  say  a  charitable,  motive 
prevented  Mr.  Wontus  from  mentioning  that  he  knew  of  a 
gentleman  by  the  name  of  Flick,  or  even  hinting  at  such  a 
thing.  He  knew  that  the  lady  was  in  trouble,  and  notwith- 
standing her  disloyal  proclivities,  the  natural  goodness  of  his 
heart  would  not  permit  him  to  heap  more  trouble  upon  her  by 
the  mention  of  anything,  either  in  connection  with  his  own 
arrest  or  anything  else,  that  would  be  calculated  to  disturb  her 
mind.  He  even  took  pains  to  direct  the  conversation  so  that 
it  might  steer  clear  of  the  war,  and  in  this  manner  succeeded 
in  passing  a  couple  of  hours  very  agreeably  in  the  company  of 
the  invalid. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  relate  all  that  Mr.  Wontus  said  on 
this  occasion,  or  all  that  was  said  by  the  other  party ;  yet  I 
am  sure  that  nothing  but  pure  sympathetic  friendship  found 
a  place  in  the  conversation.  Mr.  Wontus  was  loath  to  leave 
the  invalid  in  her  present  condition  in  the  city,  more  particu- 
larly when  he  recollected  the  spleen  of  the  landlady ;  but  how 
to  make  her  situation  more  comfortable,  or  in  fact  to  assist 
her  at  all,  was  a  matter  which  weighed  very  heavily  upon  his 
mind,  but  found  no  vent  in  words. 

When  the  moment  came  for  him  to  make  his  exit  he  spoke 
feelingly  of  the  fact  that  it  would  be  necessary  for  his  party 
and  himself  to  leave  the  city  in  a  short  time, — perhaps  a  day 
or  two.  As  he  spoke  the  chubby  hands  of  the  child  were  ex- 
tended toward  him,  and  the  beautiful  eyes  of  the  mother 
looked  what  she  would  speak.  It  shook  his  determination, 
and  at  that  moment  Mr.  Wontus  was  inclined  to  take  back  all 
he  had  said,  and  remain.  But  he  had  taken  Nidd  from  his 
business,  and  had  made  up  his  own  mind  to  see  the  war,  and 
he  held  back  the  words.  It  was  a  very  awkward  thing  for 
Mr.  Wontus  to  get  out  of  the  room ;  but  he  did  it,  his  bash- 
fulness  being  indexed  by  the  color  of  his  face.  Once  out  he 
made  his  way  down-stairs,  and  after  a  talk  with  Mr.  Nidd  in 
regard  to  future  movements,  it  was  decided  that  there  was  no 
time  to  lose  if  the  corps  desired  to  see  anything  of  the  grand 
military  movements  so  mysteriously  hinted  at  by  the  news- 
papers. As  Mr.  Wontus  would  not  hear  of  returning  to 
Philadelphia,  and  Mr.  Nidd  had  no  particular  fancy  for  or 
attraction  in  Washington,  it  was  soon  arranged  that  the  corps 

15^ 


174  WOXTCS,  OR 

should  commence  a  movement  of  some  kind  as  early  as  prac- 
ticable. With  this  view  Mr.  Wilkins  was  directed  to  notify 
the  landlady  of  the  corps'  intention  to  vacate  the  premises,  and 
to  'secure  the  necessary  outfit  for  field  service.  This  being 
done,  it  now  occurred  that  recent  orders  made  it  necessary  for 
civilians  visiting  the  army  to  have  special  permission  t^j  do  so, 
duly  signed,  sealed,  and  delivered  by  an  officer  appointed  for 
that  purpose.  Wontus  was  in  a  dilemma  ;  he  wanted  to  be 
with  the  soldiers,  not  merely  out  of  curiosity,  for  his  faith  in 
them  was  still  unshaken,  but  he  believed  that  he  could  be 
useful  to  them,  if  not  to  the  cause.  How  to  secure  the  per- 
mission was  a  question  the  perpjlexedness  of  which  was  put  to 
flight  by  Xidd's  proposing  a  call  on  the  President,  who  he 
was  sure  would  do  anything  for  them  within  the  bounds  of 
his  duty. 

The  morning  was  clear  and  beautiful,  though  warm,  and  as 
Wontus  and  Xidd  took  their  course  along  the  very  route  pur- 
sued by  the  guard  who  had  conveyed  Mr.  "Wontus  to  prison, 
that  gentleman  remarked  the  difference  in  his  feelings,  and  for 
the  first  time  noticed  that  his  foot  was  no  longer  ailing,  but 
had  completely  convalesced  under  the  pressure  of  excitement 
and  a  most  rigorous  diet.  Mr.  Nidd  had  very  little  to  say  ; 
but  as  there  was  nothing  remarkable  about  that,  Mr.  Wontus 
walked  by  his  side  and  endeavored  to  keep  down  the  image 
of  the  invalid,  which  would  persist  in  finding  a  place  in  every- 
thing he  looked  at  or  thought  of  He  did  not  know  that  this 
was  wrong,  but  he  thought  perhaps  it  might  be,  for  as  yet  he 
did  not  know  but  that  the  Maj(jr  Fiick  whom  he  had  met  in 
Philadelphia  might  be  some  other  Flick  than  the  husband  of 
Mrs.  Catherine  Flick,  the  invalid ;  and  yet  he  was  inclined  to 
believe  that  the  husband  of  Mrs.  Flick  and  Major  Flick,  of 
the  secret  sei-vice,  were  identical.  It  is  pleasing  to  notice  a 
man  who  has  great  interest  in  his  fellow-man,  but  who  never 
allows  that  interest  to  assume  the  shape  of  curiosity.  That 
Mr.  Nidd  had  an  abiding  interest  in  Mr.  Wontus,  his  actions 
— and  they  spoke  much  louder  and  plainer  than  words — could 
testify,  and  yet  up  to  this  moment  he  had  never  allowed  him- 
self to  ask  of  Mr.  Woutus  a  share  in  his  confidence.  Mr. 
Wontus  thought  of  this  ;  and  the  fact  that  his  confidence  was 
unasked,  together  with  his  want  of  knowledge  how  to  pro- 
ceed, induced  him  to  open  his  heart  to  his  friend. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  175 

"Nidd,"  said  he,  as  they  passed  along  through  the  crowds 
of  idlers  in  front  of  the  post-office,  "  do  you  know  Mrs.  i^  lick  f 
"  Know  the  major,"  replied  Nidd,  dryly. 
Mr.  Wontus  faltered.     He  scarcely  knew  how  to  reach  the 

point. 

"  I  mean  the  sick  lady." 

"  I've  seen  her." 

"  Don't  you  think  she  is  a  very  fine  woman  ( 

"  Very  tine.  Devilish  bitter  rebel,  though.  Hates  Lincoln 
worse  than  poison."  ,  . 

"  Brouoht  up  that  way,— hates  you  and  me,  because  we  re 
Yankees,'^said  Mr.  Wontus,  laconically,  casting  a  side  glance  at 

Mr.  Nidd.  ,  ,  .     -,      ^^        i    ^      •  i 

Nidd  looked  incredulous,  shrugged  his  shoulders,  but  said 

nothing. 

"  Fine  child,"  remarked  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  Very  " 

The  gentlemen  were  evidently  fencing,  and  were  guarded  in 
their  movements.     There  was  silence  for  a  time. 

"  I'm  very  much  interested  in  that  woman,  remarked  Mr. 
Wontus. 

"  So  I  perceive,"  replied  Nidd.  ,  .      -,,  i   • 

"  I  feel  very  sorry  for  her ;  she  is  poor,  friendless,  and  m  a 
helv)less  condition."  , , 

'  She's  a  rebel ;  a  bitter,  unrelenting  rebel ;  one  who  would 
do  damage  if  in  her  power " 

"  But  it's  not  in  her  power,"  interrupted  Mr.  Wontus  1 
know  that  she  is  a  rebel ;  but,  Nidd,  she's  in  trouble.  It  we 
knew  nothing  about  it  it  would  make  no  difference ;  but,  since 
we  do  know  about  it,  I  want  to  know  if  it  isn  t  our  duty  to 

assist  her  ' 

m  Nidd  was  silent.  There  was  evidently  something  more 
than  a  mere  desire  to  help  an  unfortunate  woman,  a  though  he 
felt  confident  that  Mr.  Wontus  did  not  let  any  other  reason 
find  a  place  in  his  thoughts.  ,   ,r     vir     x  .i    „ 

"  You're  narrow-minded,"  continued  Mr.  Wontus,  as  they 
turned  from  F  Street  into  the  avenue.  ^ 

"  I've  been  thinking,"  said  Nidd,  after  a  time,  '•  that  it  wou.d 
be  more  proper  for  a  man  imbued  with  the  principles  that  you 
are,  being  in  favor  of  waging  a  war  of  comparative  extermina- 
tion to  find  widows  and  orphans  of  your  own  way  of  thinkmg, 


176  WOXTCS,  OR 

wlio  rielily  deserve — as  the  world  goes — all  the  charity  you 
have  to  spare." 

Mr.  AVoiitus  halted  for  a  momcut,  and  laying  his  hand  on 
his  friend's  shoulder,  remarked  : 

^'  Xidd,  whether  it  is  a  virtue  or  a  sin  for  me  to  be  charitable 
toward  all  in  misfortune  is  a  matter  which  needs  no  argument. 
I  am  in  favor  of  a  war  of  extermination ;  a  war  that  shall  for- 
ever put  to  rest  and  bury  in  a  grave  so  deep  that  the  sound  of 
Gabriel's  bugle  shall  never  awaken  it  to  life  again,  the  perni- 
cious, the  hellish,  ideas  of  those  men  who  would  destroy  such 
a  government  and  such  a  country  as  this,  that  their  own  am- 
bitious aims  might  be  gratified,  and  that  an  aristocracy  might 
be  reared  among  us  whose  very  nature  would  compel  it  to  drift 
into  such  a  condition  of  selfishness  as  would  make  our  country 
a  monarchy,  whose  chief  pillar  would  be  the  institution  of 
slavery.  I  would  spare  the  innocent  victims  of  these  men's  de- 
lusive powers,  Nidd,  but  I  should  never  cease  to  teach  them 
that  love  of  country  which  in  itself  would  guarantee  her  their 
support.  There  is  where  my  extermination  begins ;  there  ia 
where  it  ends.  Now  for  the  widows  and  orphans  of  my  way 
of  thinking.  Oh,  I  know  ;  I  cannot  shut  my  eyes  to  the  knowl- 
edge that  there  are  now,  and  will  be  in  the  future,  countless 
households  rendered  sad  and  desolate  which  need  the  sympathy 
and  support  of  the  rich  and  happy.  How  many  of  these  poor 
people  I  have  aided  you  are  somewhat  aware  of;  if  there  are 
more  who  are  suffering  that  you  know  of,  why  not  tell  me,  and 
I  will  do  unto  them  what  I  have  done  unto  others." 

"  I  ask  your  pardon,  AYontus !"  cried  Mr.  Nidd,  with  more 
feeling  than  was  usual,  "  I  ask  your  pardon  !"  And  the  two 
gentlemen  gra.sped  each  other's  hands  and  were  understood. 

"  Now,  what  I  want  to  get  at,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  blowing 
his  nose  vigorously,  "  is  to  know  how  I  can  take  care — have 
some  watch  over  this  woman  during  our  absence." 

"  Suppose  we  submit  it  to  Mr.  Lincoln ;  he  is  not  the  man 
to  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  such  a  case." 

'•  But  think  of  her  political  principles !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus, 
in  alarm ;  "  why,  he  would  have  her  arrested  at  once." 

"  She'd  be  well  taken  care  of  then,"  remarked  Nidd,  shsrply. 

Mr.  "Wontus  was  horrified  at  the  thought,  and  mentioned 
her  hate  of  the  President.  To  this  Nidd  replied  that  Mr. 
Lincoln,  he  guessed,  was  accustomed  to  such  things,  and  he 


THE   CORPS   OF   OnSEIiVATlOX.  177 

did  not  think  that  that  would  deter  him  from  doing  an  act  of 
kindness.  And  by  the  time  the  o-entlemen  reached  the  executive 
mansion,  it  was  settled  that  Mr.  Lincoln  should  be  made  aware 
of  the  case  and  his  advice  followed,  provided  that  Mr.  Wontus 
would  not  be  called  on  to  countenance  or  do  anytlung  that  ins 
conscience  or  his  feelings  did  not  approve  of. 

It  was  now  hi-h  noon,  and,  as  the  gentlemen  entered,  they 
were  informed  that  the  hour  for  visitors  to  see  the  President 
had  passed.  Mr.  Wontus's  face  became  a  blank,  but  iMr. 
Nidd,  with  the  air  of  a  man  who  feels  that  his  knowledge  is 
a  little  oreater  than  those  about  him,  drew  a  card  from  his 
pocket,  on  which  he  wrote  his  name,  and,  handing  it  to  an 
orderly,  asked  that  it  be  given  to  the  President.  Ihe  man 
had  started,  but  Mr.  Nidd  hurriedly  called  him  back,  and 
takino-  the  card,  wrote  the  word  "  Important !"  across  its  tace. 
There  were  other  people  standing  about,  hoping  that  accident 
would  give  them  the  opportunity  of  seeing  the  President,  and  as 
Mr  Nidd  handed  the  card  to  the  orderly  again  he  remarked, 
in  his  decided  way,  "  I  guess  that  will  fetch  him  "  He  was 
rio-ht,  for  in  a  few  moments  the  orderly  returned,  and  iNidcl 
ami  Wontus  were  ushered  into  the  little  reception-room. 

The  President  was  lying  on  a  lounge,  one  hand  shading  his 
eyes  and  the  other  hanging  idly  by  his  side. 

"  Be  seated,  gentlemen,  and  excuse  me.  I  have  had  a 
very  hard  day  of  it,  and  begin  to  feel  exhausted."  He  spoke 
in  a  weary,  but  friendly  way.  "  I  had  made  up  my  mmd  to 
see  no  more  people  to-day,  but  observing  that  your  card  was 
marked  'important,'  I  sent  for  you  to  come  in.  As  the 
President  spoke  Nidd  cast  a  glance  on  Wontus,  which  was 
understood  to  mean  "I  told  you  so,"  and  Mr.  Wontus  returned 
the  glance  with  a  nod  of  approval.  ^, 

"  You  are  the  gentleman  for  whom  I  could  do  nothing, 
said  Mr.  Lincoln,  rising  to  a  sitting  posture  and  smiling  at 
Nidd.     "  You've  changed  your  mind  again,  eh?" 

Mr.  Nidd  suddenly  discovered  a  loose  piece  of  leather  on 
the  heel  of  his  boot,  which  he  found  it  necessary  to  tear  off  at 
that  particular  moment ;  and  xMr.  Wontus  came  to  the  rescue 
with  a  multitude  of  thanks  for  his  liberty,  and,  without  a 
pause  to  show  where  the  connection  was  broken,  immediately 
commenced  with  the  subject  nearest  his  heart,— the  cai^  ot 
the  invalid.     Now  Mr.  Nidd  had  had  this  matter  all  diplo- 


178  wo  XT  us,  OR 

matically  arranged  in  liis  mind,  but  before  he  had  an  opportu- 
tunity  to  broach  the  subject  Mr.  Wontus  had  hiunched  himself 
into  it,  and,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  was  oblivious  to  every- 
thing else.  With  Mr.  Nidd  the  most  important  object  of  this 
visit  was  the  securing  of  the  authority  which  gave  the  party 
leave  to  visit  the  army,  and  out  of  this  fact  there  grew  a  scene. 

"  You  see,  sir,"  said  3Ir.  Wontus,  in  a  very  confidential 
manner,  "  it  will  be  necessary  for  somebody  here  to  have  an 
acquaintance  with  us,  so  that  everything  will  be  properly  un- 
derstood." 

"  Certainly,"  cried  Mr.  Xidd. 

*•  I  don't  know  that  it  would  be  necessary  to  have  anything 
in  writing,"  continued  Mr.  Wontus. 

^'  It  mmt  be  in  writing,  or  printed,"  exclaimed  Mr.  Nidd. 

Wontus  cast  a  deprecatory  glance  at  Mr.  Nidd,  and  con- 
tinued :  "  You  see,  Mr.  Lincoln,  my  friend  and  I  have  dif- 
ferent views  on  the  subject,  and  we've  agreed  to  leave  the 
matter  to  3'ou." 

"  But.  Wontus,"  cried  Mr.  Nidd,  "  we  must  have  writing, — 
something  to  show, — in  case  it  is  demanded." 

"  Demanded  !"  echoed  Mr.  W^ontus.  "  Demanded  !  Why, 
Mr.  Nidd,  you  astonish  me!"  (Turning  to  the  President:) 
"  Excuse  me,  Mr.  President ;  perhaps  we  are  worrying  you." 

"  Never  mind  me,  gentlemen,"  said  the  President,  opening 
a  packet  of  papers  just  put  into  his  hands. 

'"  Well,  see  here,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  in  a  manner  which  looked 
as  though  he  intended  to  clinch  the  subject.  "  Suppose  we 
go  from  here  without  the  papers  to  show  that  everything  is 
right, — what  then  ?" 

"Why,  who  knows  anything  about  it  except  the  landlady?" 
cried  Mr.  Wontus,  who  noticed  Mr.  Nidd's  manner  more  than 
he  did  his  words. 

"Ha,  ha,  ha!"  laughed  Nidd.  "Why,  my  friend,  you 
don't  understand." 

"The  woman  did  me  harm,"  cried  Wontus,  "  but  I  forgave 
her,  and  only  hope  she  may  be  as  freely  forgiven  hereafter  as  I 
forgive  her  now." 

"  My  friends,"  said  Mr.  Lincoln,  in  that  usual  quiet,  droll 
way  of  his,  "  you  are  talking  to  cross  purposes.  Neither  of 
you  appear  to  understand  the  other.  Now  let  me  unravel  the 
knot-      You  want  authority  to  visit  the  army  ?' ' 


THE   CORPS  OF   ODSERVATIOX.  179 

"  Yes,  sir,"  replied  Mr.  Nidd,  who  was  the  party  addressed. 

"You  want  the  same  thing?"  said  he,  turning  to  Mr. 
AVontus.  "  Stop  one  moment,  please !"  as  Mr.  Wontus  was 
about  to  reply.  "  You  want  something  additional ;  and  while 
you  have  not  exactly  said  what  that  something  additional  was, 
yet,  from  what  I  can  see  of  it,  there  is  at  least  one  woman  ia 
it ;  perhaps  more." 

Mr.  Nidd  looked  incredulous.     Mr.  Wontus  was  abashed. 

"  Now,  gentlemen,"  continued  the  President,  without  wait- 
ing for  a  reply,  "  I  suppose  I  ought  to  be  very  dignified ;  and 
so  I  am,  I  hope,  sometimes.  But  God  made  man,  and  man 
made  dignity ;  and  fashion  has  made  dignity  to  be  more  like 
a  suit  of  clothes, — to  be  put  on  and  taken  oflF  at  pleasure.  But 
no  matter  about  that  now.  It  crossed  my  mind  on  reading 
one  of  these  papers,  and  I  mentioned  it.  Let  me  ask  the 
questions  which  I  think  you  gentlemen  want  answered,  and  in 
that  way  I  think  we  shall  make  better  progress.  Suppose  we 
consider  the  leave  to  visit  the  army  first." 

The  gentlemen  both  nodded. 

"  Well,  I  fear  it  can't  be  granted." 

Wontus  and  Nidd  exchanged  glances. 

"  The  commander  of  the  army  complains  of  the  number  of 
citizens  who  are  allowed  within  the  lines,  and,  for  myself,  I  do 
not  like  to  break  in  upon  any  rules  he  may  establish,"  Mr. 
Wontus's  face  wore  a  look  of  deep  concern,  and  Mr.  Nidd 
appeared  to  be  preparing  for  an  argument,  when  the  President 
resumed :  "  The  best  I  can  do  for  you  is  to  give  you  a  note 
to  the  general,  and  if  he  permits  you  there  will  be  no  complaint 
from  me.  One  moment,"  said  he,  observing  that  both  the 
gentlemen  were  about  to  speak :  "  this  is  the  best  I  can  do ; 
and  I  assure  you  that  I  would  not  do  that  much  were  I  not 
thoroughly  convinced  of  your  loyalty  and  good  intentions." 
He  turned  to  the  desk  and  at  once  wrote  a  few  hues,  which  he 
inclosed  and  handed  to  Nidd. 

"  Now,  my  friend,"  said  he,  smilingly,  laying  his  hand  on 
Mr.  Wontus's  knee,  "you  want  something,  and  you  don't 
exactly  know  what." 

"  He,"  interrupted  Nidd,  looking  up  from  the  note  just 
handed  him  by  the  President, — "  he  would " 

Mr.  Wontus  took  hold  of  the  extreme  end  of  Nidd's  coat- 
tail  and  gave  it  two  or  three  vigorous  pulls.     The  pulls  were 


180  WOXTUS,  OR 

understood,  and  Mr.  Nidd  at  once  became  as  silent  as  an  oyster, 
■while  our  hero  gave  Mr.  Lincoln  a  clear  and  succinct  account 
of  his  acquaintance  with  the  invalid,  beginning  with  his  acci- 
dental visit  to  her  room  at  the  request  of  the  landlady.  He 
gave  full  particulars  concerning  her  disloyalty  and  hatred  of 
himself,  and  brought  his  statement  to  a  close  by  setting  forth 
the  woman's  impoverished  condition  in  such  a  pathetic  manner 
as  not  only  to  bring  tears  to  his  own  eyes,  but  to  cause  the 
President  to  have  a  sudden  desire  to  look  for  certain  papers  in 
places  where  he  least  expected  to  find  them. 

"And  you  want  me  to  tell  you  what  to  do?"  asked  Mr. 
Lincoln,  who  had  not  been  successful  in  finding  the  papers. 
'•  What  do  you  propose  to  do?" 

Said  Mr.  Wontus,  "  I  propose  to  devise  some  means  by 
which  this  lady  may  be  enabled  to  live  comfortably  until  such 
time  as  she  is  able  to  labor  for  herself,  and  to  do  this  I  am 
willing  to  contribute  a  small  sum  of  money ;  but,  as  I  do  not 
wish  to  wound  her  feelings  by  handing  it  to  her,  why  I  wish 
to  secure  the  services  of  somebody  who  will  see  to  her  without 
being  seen  himself 

"  A  woman  of  delicate  sensibilities,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  in  a 
deprecatory  manner. 

*'  Have  you  no  friends  here  to  whom  you  could  give  this 
important  trust  ?"  asked  the  President,  with  interest  mani- 
fested in  his  manner. 

"What  do  you  think  of  my  plan?"  asked  Mr.  Wontus, 
proudly. 

"  Very  good,  very  good  ;  but  how  am  I  to  help  you  ?  If 
you  only  knew  some  trustworthy  man " 

"  I  do  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  risins:  to  his  feet ;  "  3Ioxley  ! 
eh,  Nidd?" 

"  Don't  know  him,"  said  Mr.  Xidd.  "  Heard  of  him ; 
that's  all." 

"  This  is  a  gentleman  who  is  an  employee  in  one  of  the 
departments  here,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  turning  to  the  President. 
'•  I  knew  him  in  New  York  before  the  war.  A  very  good 
man,  I'm  sure." 

'•  You  do  not  know  which  one  of  the  departments  he  is  in?" 
asked  the  President,  tapping  a  bell. 

"  No." 

A  man  entered  the  room,  to  whom  Mr.  Lincoln  gave  some 


THE   CORPS   OF  OBSERVATION.  181 

directions  concerning  the  finding  of  Mr.  Moxley ;  and  turning 
to  Mr.  Wontus,  he  informed  him  that  he  would  send  him  to  his 
lodgings  the  moment  he  could  be  found,  and  that  it  was  settled 
that,  if  Mr.  Wontus  was  satisfied  with  the  arrangements,  the 
President  would  do  all  in  his  power  to  forward  them ;  and 
soon  after  the  gentlemen  prepared  to  take  their  departure. 


CHAPTER   XV, 


IN  WHICH  THE  CORPS  GETS  READY  FOR  FIELD  SERVICE, 
AND  BIDS  ADIEU  TO  WASHINGTON — MR.  THOMSON  MEETS 
SOME    OLD    FRIENDS,  AND    NIDD    IS    MADE    HAPPY. 

The  world  has  probably  never  produced  a  man  with  more 
gentleness  of  nature,  goodness  of  heart,  and  lack  of  egotism, 
than  Abraham  Lincoln.  Without  those  assumed,  and  hence 
false, — for  no  man  is  born  with  them, — imperial  mannerisms 
which  fasten  themselves  to  some  men  the  moment  they  don 
the  robes  of  authority  or  assume  a  more  elevated  position  in 
the  scale  of  wealth,  there  was  nothing  about  him  calculated 
to  repel  the  poorest  and  most  humble  of  his  race.  On  the 
other  hand,  perfectly  natural,  unostentatious  in  his  manners, 
there  was  a  degree  of  that  peculiar  magnetism  about  him  at 
all  times  which,  while  it  attracted  and  charmed  those  who 
came  in  contact  with  him,  never  gave,  even  to  the  unlettered, 
that  license  for  assurance  which  men  who  lack  understanding 
so  frequently  indulge  in  when  treated  as  equals.  Nor  did  he 
ever  set  himself  up  as  the  judge  of  his  fellow-men's  sociid 
status.  He  believed  with  Chalmers  that  "  true  greatness  lies 
wholly  in  force  of  soul,"  and  he  exemplified  his  belief  by  his 
conduct.  To  the  high  and  low,  rich  and  poor,  he  was  alike 
the  kind  and  courteous  gentleman,  and  the  veriest  aristocrat 
of  foreign  or  native  manufacture  found  him  the  same  as  the 
simple-minded  and  unsophisticated  plebeian.  Ever  ready  to 
assist  the  troubled  and  unfortunate,  with  a  mind  that  had 
"  charity  for  all  and  malice  toward  none,"  he  was  approached 
by  men  of  all  conditions  and  complexions,  and  more  than  one 
heart  that  was  clouded  and  sad  had  a  bright  and  pleasant  sun- 

16 


182  WOXTUS,  OR 

beam  thrown  upon  it  by  the  kind  words  and  s}TnpathetIc  acts 
of  Abraham  Lincoln. 

As  the  gentlemen  moved  across  the  room  toward  the  door, 
the  President  arose,  and  walking  by  the  side  of  Mr.  Wontus, 
slipped  a  bank-bill  into  his  hand,  and  in  a  whisper  sjiid,  "  I 
belit've  in  you,  sir ;  I  am  glad  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  see- 
iirj;  and  knowing  you  ;  put  this  to  whatever  good  use  you  see 
proper."  And  as  he  spoke  he  pressed  Mr.  Wontuss  hand, 
and  before  that  gentleman  had  time  to  reply  the  President 
had  turned  to  Mr.  Nidd,  and  was  directing  him  where  and 
how  to  proceed  in  securing  the  permit.  For  a  moment  Mr. 
Wontus  was  in  doubt  what  course  to  pursue.  '•  I  am  richer, 
— have  more  money  than  he  has,  and  not  one-tenth  of  the 
expenses;  I  will  give  it  back."  But  Mr.  Wontus  did  not 
have  the  opportunity  to  carry  out  h\*  resolve,  for  the  President 
managed  to  keep  aloof  from  him  and  to  effectually  prevent  the 
conversation  turning  in  that  direction. 

"  Good-by,  gentlemen,"  Siiid  the  President,  cheerfully,  as  he 
extended  his  hand ;  "  I  hope  you  may  not  only  have  a  pleas- 
ant journey  and  a  safe  return,  but  that  you  may  succeed  in 
doing  something  to  alleviate  the  sufferings  of  those  poor  fel- 
lows who  are  giving  up  their  lives  that  their  country  may 
live."  His  face  assumed  its  wonted  gTave  and  serious  look  as 
he  spoke,  and  the  visitors  departed  deeply  impressed. 

"  A  great  and  good  man,"  said  3Ir.  Wontus. 

Mr.  Nidd  hungj  his  head  as  though  in  deep  thought,  but 
said  nothing,  and  the  gentlemen  passed  on  to  their  lodgings, 
to  prepare  for  their  departure. 

The  outfit  of  a  soldier  on  a  peace  footing  differs  very  mate- 
rially from  the  outfit  of  the  same  sort  of  an  individual  on  a 
war  footing.  As  Mr.  Wilkins  has  given  ample,  I  may  say 
profuse,  oral  evidence  of  his  vast  army  experience,  it  is  fair 
to  presume  that  some  part  of  his  time — in  all  the  years  that 
he  served — must  have  been  whiled  away  during  a  time  of 
peace,  or  at  least  there  must  have  been  a  brief  cessation  of 
hostilities  sometime,  somewhere,  somehow  ;  and  during  those 
moments.,  I  repeat  that  it  is  fair  to  presume  that  a  man  of  his 
intelligence  ought  to  be  able  to  note  the  difference  between  an 
outfit  for  the  field  and  one  for  garrison  duty.  I  do  not  desire 
to  impeach  Mr.  Wilkins,  or  doubt  his  word  in  the  slightest 
particular ;  but  I  do  wish  to  say  that  when  he  executed  Mr. 


WONT!  s  j)i;ri,i.\-i:s  to  bk  pit   i\  thk  <;rARi)-HursK, 


THE  CORPS   OF  OBSERVATION.  183 

Wontiis's  order  to  procure  a  proper  outfit  for  the  party,  that 
I  think  that  it  is  at  least  probable  that  he  exceeded  Mr.  Won- 
tus's  wishes,  if  nothing  more.  True,  he  had  no  special  orders 
to  procure  any  special  articles.  Mr.  Wontus  considered  that 
special  directions  to  a  "  man  of  the  world,"  and  a  tried  and 
experienced  soldier,  like  Mr.  Wilkins,  would  be  simply  super- 
fluous, and  further,  would  show  a  lack  of  confidence,  which  he 
certainly  did  not  feel.  The  order,  therefore,  was  carte  blanche, 
and  Mr.  Wilkins  proceeded  to  fill  it  as  he  thought  proper. 

On  such  an  important  occasion  as  the  filling  of  this  order, 
]Mr.  Wilkins  found  it  utterly  impossible  to  be  alone,  and  con- 
sequently the  aid  of  a  congenial  companion  was  enlisted.  To 
undertake  to  describe  the  mystery  and  importance  which  Mr. 
Wilkins  threw  around  and  attached  to  the  duty  during  his 
conversations  at  the  hotels  and  elsewhere,  would  be  a  task  far 
beyond  the  scope  of  a  pen  not  gifted  with  almost  supernatural 
powers,  and  I  forbear,  with  the  simple  statement  that  it  was 
immense.  W^hen  he  walked  into  a  shop,  it  was  done  with  the 
air  of  a  man  who  intended  purchasing  the  whole  establishment 
at  the  owner's  first  price,  and  without  question.  His  manner 
was  slow  and  stately,  and  his  voice,  as  he  rejected  article  after 
article,  assumed  a  sepulchral  tone.  When  he  referred  anything 
to  his  companion  for /as  judgment,  it  was  done  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  be  very  impressive ;  not  that  the  gentleman's  opinion 
amounted  to  anything  with  Mr.  Wilkins,  for  his  purchases  were 
generally  directly  opposite  to  the  advice  of  the  aforesaid ;  but 
still  he  asked  his  opinion,  and  that  was  doing  a  gTeat  deal  for 
so  humble  a  follower,  and  Mr.  Wilkins  felt  it. 

If  time  was  made  for  slaves,  then  it  is  safe  to  say  that  Mr. 
Wilkins  was  no  slave,  for  it  was  not  until  the  slant  rays  of  the 
sun  fell  on  both  sides  of  the  slant  streets  of  the  capital,  that 
he  completed  his  purchases.  He  had  made  it  a  rule  early  in 
the  day  that  the  purchase  of  an  article  entitled  him  to  a  treat  at 
the  expense  of  the  seller,  hence  it  was  dark  when  he  presented 
himself  and  the  following  schedule  of  articles  purchased  for  the 
corps.     It  was  written  on  a  sheet  of  foolscap,  and  was  headed : 

CAMP  AND  GARRISON  EQUIPAGE  OF   THE  W^ONTUS 
CORPS  OF  OBSERVATION— INVENTORY. 

Two  double  bedsteads  (cottage  style). 
Blankets  and  bedding  for  do. 


184  W  ox  TVS,  OR 

One  wash-stand,  with  service  complete  (cottage  style). 

Three  tents  (two  hirge  and  one  small). 

One  roll  of  oil-cloth. 

Two  door-mats. 

One  warming-pan. 

One  mess-chest. 

One  set  china  (ornamented). 

Two  baskets  (market). 

Four  large  bowie-knives, 
do      do     horse-pistols. 

Pans,  pots,  kettles. 

Demijohns,  decanters. 

Etcetera. 

The  lights  were  burning  when  Mr.  Wilkins  presented  him- 
self and  the  schedule  to  the  party  at  their  quarters.  The  spirits 
he  had  partaken  of  had  lent  wings  to  his  usually  fruitful  im- 
agination, and  he  set  forth  the  virtues  of  his  different  purchases, 
made  with  an  eye  single  to  comfort  and  convenience,  so  tempt- 
ingly, that  Thomas  Thomson  was  in  ecstacies ;  Mr.  Wontus 
signified  his  willingness  to  pay  the  bill,  and  Mr.  Nidd  gave  a 
silent  acquiescence  to  the  whole  arrangement. 

Mr.  Wontus  did  not  pay  much  attention  to  the  reading  of 
the  schedule,  because,  first,  he  believed  that  just  such  things 
would  be  necessary,  and  second,  because  his  mind  was  more  con- 
centrated on  another  subject.  With  Mr.  Thomson,  however, 
there  was  a  degTee  of  inquisitiveness  manifested  which  Wilkins 
found  necessary  to  set  at  rest  before  dismissing  the  subject,  and 
he  proceeded  to  do  it  in  this  wise : 

"  Them  bedsteads,"  said  he,  with  his  finger  on  the  paper, 
"  are  for  the  comfort  of  the  members  of  the  corps  after  a  march. 
The  blankets  ditto,  ditto,  which  means  the  same.  The  wash- 
stand  must  be  for  the  colonel  and  Niddy's  tent, — give  'em 
character  and  standin'.  The  two  big  tents  are  for  the  corps; 
the  little  tent  is  for  the  cook,  for  it  would  be  degradin'  for  the 
members  of  the  corps  to  do  their  own  cookin'.  The  oil-cloth  is 
an  indispensable  article  of  furniture,  and  goes  in  the  colonel's 
tent.  The  door-mat  is  to  notify  visitors  that  the  party  is 
clean  in  their  habits,  and  others  is  expected  for  to  be  the  same. 
The  warm'n-pan  is  partic'lary  necessary,  as  it  gives  style  to  the 
looks  of  things,  and  to  warm  the  beds  and  dry  'em  after  a 
shower,  which,  as  soldiers,  we  must  be  expectin'  as  we  go  along. 


THE    CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  185 

The  mess-chest  is  a  soldier's  eontrr.ption,  and  couldn't  be  done 
without,  nohow.  China  is  useful,  and  looks  well.  You  know 
what  baskets  are  for.  The  knives  and  pistols  are  for  the  safety 
and  protection  of  the  cor]\s  in  the  hour  of  danger,  which  must 
be  encountered  in  the  reg'lar  course  of  events  which  transpire 
in  the  field  of  gory  blood  (Mr.  Wilkins  waved  his  hand  trag- 
ically). The  pans,  pots,  and  demijohns — well,  you  know  what 
they're  for." 

He  ceased  speaking,  and  would  have  turned  away,  but 
Thomas  Thomson  had  noticed  that  there  was  still  an  article  on 
the  list  which  Wilkins  had  not  noticed,  so  he  called  his  attention 
to  the  fiict,  and  insisted  on  being  enlightened.  Mr.  Wilkins 
cast  his  eye  toward  Wontus  and  Nidcl,  and  seeing  that  they 
were  engaged  in  some  matter  of  their  own,  he  assumed  a  serious 
manner,  and,  placing  his  finger  on  the  word  etcetera^  said  : 

"  Mr.  Thomson,  it  appears  to  me  that  you  ain't  very  well 
learned  in  your  general  education.  The  word  which  you  see 
there  comes  most  frequent  in  conversation  when  men  have  a 
great  deal  to  say  and  don't  know  how  to  say  it.  It's  a 
foreigner  which  has  been  naturalized  into  our  language,  and 
comes  mostly  from  its  root,  as  I  have  been  informed,  which 
means  many  things  not  hereinbefore  mentioned,  as  it  was ; 
therefore,  you  see,  it  means  here  as  if  it  was  not  here  at  all, 
but  as  if  somethin'  else  took  its  place ;  and,  consequently,  it 
is  generally  put  at  the  conclusion  of  a  number  of  things  not 
mentioned,  as  in  the  case  now  before  us."  As  Mr.  Wilkins 
concluded,  he  drew  a  long  breath  to  fill  the  vacuum  caused  by 
expressing  the  rather  lengthy  sentence,  and  then  turned  to 
Tommy  and  remarked,  "  Don't  you  see  ?"' 

Tommy  scrutinized  the  word  as  it  was  written  on  the  paper 
before  him  as  though  he  expected  the  word  itself  to  throw 
some  light  on  the  subject,  scratched  his  head,  and  then  re- 
marked that  he  did  see.  This  being  the  desired  result,  the 
conversation  turned  upon  other  subjects,  and  soon  after  the 
gentlemen  retired. 

The  next  day  Mr.  Nidd  proceeded  to  secure  the  necessary 
papers  to  enable  the  corps  to  visit  the  army,  and  Mr.  Moxley 
waited  on  Wontus,  and  was  introduced  to  the  invalid.  In 
brief,  the  arrangements  were  all  satisfactorily  made,  and  the 
party  was  ready  for  the  forward  movement. 

A  great  part  of  the  army  had  departed  for  Fortress  Moa- 
16* 


186  WONTUS,  OR 

roe.  General  McClellan  would  leave  for  the  scene  of  opera- 
tions on  the  morrow,  and  with  all  the  necessary  details  at^ 
tended  to,  including  the  "  camp  and  pirrison  equipage,"  the 
corps  was  ready  to  follow  the  little  hero  the  next  day.  It 
was  found  impossible  to  secure  transportation  from  AVashing- 
ton,  and  it  therefore  became  necessiir}"  for  the  gentlemen  to 
proceed  to  Baltimore,  and  reach  the  scene  of  operations  by 
way  of  the  bay  steamers ;  at  least,  this  was  the  programme 
laid  out  by  Mr.  Xidd  after  his  return  from  the  War  Depart> 
ment.  The  party  would  leave  the  next  morning  early,  and, 
without  a  word  to  anj^body,  Mr.  Wontus  sent  for  the  landlady's 
bill  and  paid  it.  He  harbored  no  enmity,  and  would  leave  in 
peace.     But  there  was  one  duty  yet  to  be  attended  to. 

We  are  entirely  conversant  with  the  fact  that  Mr.  Wontus 
found  it  a  rather  difficult  and  embarrassing  task  to  present 
himself  to  the  invalid  at  any  time ;  but  now  that  he  was  going 
away,  and  perhaps  forever,  his  frame  of  mind  was  rather 
more  distressing  than  otherwise.  Up  to  this  time  the  invalid 
had  never  expressed  a  word  indicative  of  more  than  a  high 
regard  and  deep  appreciation  of  the  gentleman,  and  Mr.  Won- 
tus had  forced  himself  to  think — well,  no,  not  exactly  think, 
either,  but,  more  properly,  to  believe — that  his  regard  for  the 
lady,  notwithstanding  her  disloyal  proclivities  and  condemna- 
tion of  those  he  loved,  was  simply  such  a  feeling  as  any  other 
woman  might  stir  up  in  his  bosom  under  similar  circumstan- 
ces. I  say  he  had  forced  himself  to  believe  this,  and  the  rea- 
son why  I  say  it  is  because  his  actions  resembled  so  strongly 
those  of  a  man  who  is  deeply,  darkly,  and  strangely  in  love. 
He  wished  to  see  her,  and  yet  he  feared  the  interview ;  and  in 
this  condition  he  did  many  strange  things,  which  excited  the 
curiosity  of  Mr.  Nidd,  and  caused  that  gentleman  to  tell  Mr. 
Wontus  that  he  resembled  a  boy  who  was  experiencing  his 
first  love.  But  a  word  was  needed,  and  with  the  quickness 
that  a  shot  will  roll  oflP  a  shovel,  the  senior  member  proceeded 
up-stairs.  He  had  been  expected  ;  and.  although  Mrs.  Batta- 
dore  had  done  just  as  little  as  was  possible,  yet  the  apartment 
and  its  occupants  presented  rather  a  better  appearance  than 
was  usual. 

During  the  interview,  which  was  rather  protracted,  Mr. 
Wontus  was  about  as  ignorant  of  the  past,  present,  and  the 
future  as  any  man  well  could  be,  and  his  modesty  would  not 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  187 

nllow  him  to  do  more  than  to  liint,  in  a  very  ol).sciirc  way, 
that  tlic  invalid  should  not  trouble  herself,  but  should  take 
courage,  and  do  her  best  to  convalesce  speedily ;  also,  that 
IMr.  Moxley  lived  in  the  immediate  neighborhood,  and  Avould 
be  pleased  to  render  her  assistance  at  any  moment  if  she 
would  call  on  him  ;  a.t  the  same  time  he  hinted  that  her 
iiiends  had  been  communicated  with  in  some  mysterious  man- 
ner, and  that  her  wants  would  be  attended  to.  The  return 
for  all  this  kindness  of  Mr.  Wontus  was  most  profuse  thanks 
on  the  part  of  the  invalid.  The  gentleman  could  stand  almost 
anything  better  than  thanks,  and,  as  he  rose  to  depart,  his  old 
agitation  returned,  and,  fearing  that  he  was  about  to  make  a 
scene,  he  bade  a  hasty  adieu,  and  dashed  out  of  the  room. 

The  others  had  retired  when  Mr.  Wontus  readied  his  room, 
and  noiselessly  he  mixed  himself  a  decoction  of  brandy,  water, 
and  sugar,  and  sat  down  to  reflect.  His  reflections  were  nu- 
merous and  strangely  mixed,  and  it  was  only  after  he  had  in- 
dulged in  more  brandy,  water,  and  sugar  that  "  nature's  sweet 
restorer,  balmy  sleep,"  came  to  relieve  his  troubled  mind  of  the 
pressure. 

It  was  very  near  the  last  day  of  April  or  the  first  day  of 
May,  but  exactly  which  I  am  unable  to  say  just  now,  for  each 
day  of  the  week  and  of  the  month  so  closely  resembled  the 
other  in  scenes  and  events  that  there  was  nothing  by  which  to 
mark  the  march  of  time,  that  ThomiLS  Thomson  rose  with  the 
sun,  and  soon  after  called  up  the  other  members.  Everything 
had  been  attended  to,  and  the  moment  that  breakfast  was  fin- 
ished the  party  proceeded  to  the  depot,  and  took  their  last 
survey  of  the  Capitol.  With  Wilkins  and  Thomson  the  idea 
of  a  change  was  refreshing,  and  these  two  gentlemen  were  in 
high  good  humor,  and,  to  their  credit  be  it  said,  were  also 
sober.  AVith  Nidd  there  was  nothing  particularly  noticeable. 
His  face  bore  the  same  imperturable,  grave  a])pearance,  and  he 
moved  about  with  the  same  firm  stride  and  elevated  head. 
Wontus's  face  wore  a  mingled  look  of  sorrow  and  pleasure : 
a  soft  smile  played  about  his  mouth,  but  sorrow  looked  forth 
from  his  eyes.  He  moved  about  in  a  mechanical  way,  and  it  was 
not  until  he  took  his  seat  in  the  car^s  that  he  ventured  a  remark. 

''  Is  everything  all  right?"  he  asked  of  Mr.  Nidd. 

"To  the  best  of  my  knowledge  and  belief,  it  is,"  said  Mr. 
Nidd,  dryly. 


188  WOXTUS,  OR 

It  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  more  would  have  been  said, 
but  two  things  occurred  Avhich  prevent-jd :  one  was  the  start- 
ing; of  ilie  train,  and  the  other  was  the  presence  of  Mr.  AVil- 
kins.  This  gentleman  had  taken  char2'e  of  the  hand  baggage 
of  the  corps,  and  ensconced  himself  in  the  centre  of  the  car, 
and  at  the  moment  he  presented  himself  to  Mr,  Wontus,  re- 
sembled a  man  who  had  traveled  all  his  life,  and  knew  just 
exactly  how  it  should  be  done.  His  hat  was  pulled  firmly 
down  over  his  head,  almost  to  his  ears,  and  a  handkerchief, 
which  had  one  day  been  white,  was  folded  carefully  about  his 
neck. 

"  Mr.  Wontus  !"'  he  cried,  as  he  leaned  over  that  gentleman's 
seat,  and  supported  himself  by  its  back.     Mr.  Wontus  looked 

'•  I  ve .  '    Further  remarks  were  lost  in  the  clatter  of  the 

wheels  and  the  sudden  backing  of  the  speaker,  caused  by  the 
train  moving  around  a  curve. 

"What  did  you  say?'  yelled  Mr.  Wontus,  with  his  hand 
at  his  ear  to  catch  the  reply. 

Clatter,  clatter,  clatter !  went  the  wheels.  Skruge,  bang ! 
went  the  couplings.  Whew,  whew,  whew !  screamed  the 
whistle,  and  the  cars  rocked  and  swayed  as  only  cars  can  rock 
and  sway. 

Mr.  Wilkins  held  firmly  to  the  seat,  and  Mr.  Wontus  looked 
into  his  face  in  expectation  of  what  was  to  come. 

A  conversation  held  in  the  cars  is  never  a  very  agreeable 
one,  but  it  is  particularly  ti-^ing  and  vexatious  when  the  car  is 
an  old  one,  the  track  a  rough  one,  and  the  train  bounding 
along  at  what  is  very  properly  called  break-neck  speed.  This  w:is 
exactly  the  sort  of  a  train  that  the  party  had  taken  passage  on, 
and  when  Mr.  Wilkins  succeeded  in  assuming  an  upright 
position,  and  a  moment  afterward  was  cast  headlong  across 
Mr.  Xidd's  legs,  nobody  was  particularly  astonished,  except 
the  two  gentlemen  most  concerned.  Whether  Mr.  Nidd  con- 
sidered the  unceremonious  conduct  of  Mr.  Wilkins  intentional 
or  not  I  cannot  say,  but  I  am  enabled  to  relate  that  which 
immediately  followed,  to  wit :  After  the  first  shock  Mr.  Nidd's 
face  wore  a  really  savage  expression,  and  as  the  prostrate  form 
of  Wilkins  lay  across  his  knees,  his  mind  may  have  wandered 
back  to  the  moment  wherein  the  man  who  was  now  so  com- 
pletely in  his  power  had  used  his  name  in  a  rather  unwarrant- 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSEBVATION.  189 

able  way ;  at  any  rate,  he  no  sooner  noticed  who  the  party 
was.  than  he  seized  him  by  the  neck,  and  before  Mr.  Wontus 
could  interfere,  commenced  exercising  his  fist  on  the  party's 
head,  neck,  and  back,  very  much  after  the  same  fashion  that 
he  would  have  exercised  it  on  the  drum  in  an  accompaniment 
to  a  wonderfully  quick  march.  Mr.  Wilkins  was  no  passive 
party  to  all  this,  but  displayed  his  interest  in  the  affair  by 
shouting  and  kicking  to  an  extent  truly  wonderful.  The  more 
he  kicked  the  more  Mr.  Nidd  thumped,  until  at  length  the 
friendly  arms  of  Mr.  Wontus  interfered,  and  Mr.  Wilkins  was 
allowed  to  gather  himself  up  from  the  floor,  where  he  had  cast 
himself  the  moment  Mr.  Nidd  relaxed  his  muscular  exercise. 

It  was  a  relief  to  everybody  to  get  out  of  the  car  at  Balti- 
more ;  and,  leaving  Mr.  Wilkins  to  attend  to  the  transportation 
of  the  baggage,  the  other  gentlemen  proceeded  at  once  to  the 
steamboat,  which  left  for  Fortress  Monroe  in  the  evening. 
There  was  plenty  of  time ;  and  aft«r  the  tickets  and  the 
necessary  military  passes  had  been  secured,  and  the  luggage 
stacked  away,  Mr.  Wontus  gave  notice  that  each  and  every 
member  of  the  corps  was  at  liberty  to  do  as  he  pleased  until 
five  o'clock,  at  which  hour  the  boat  would  leave  her  moorings. 

Wontus  and  Nidd  declared  their  intention  to  remain  on  the 
boat,  but  Wilkins  and  Thomson  concluded  to  do  otherwise, 
and  accordingly  made  their  way  toward  the  Canton-street 
railroad  depot.  Mr.  Thomson's  conduct  while  in  Washington 
had  been  of  such  an  exemplary  character  that  he  had  not  only 
husbanded  his  own  resources,  but  had  also  won  numerous 
small  rewards  from  his  employer,  and  hence  to-day,  in  the 
parlance  of  the  times,  he  was  pretty  well  "  fixed,"  which, 
when  explained,  means  that  he  had  a  fair  amount  of  money. 
Pecuniarily,  Mr.  AVilkins  was  not  "  fixed"  at  all,  but  as  that 
was  a  matter  which  seldom  disturbed  him  so  long  as  his  com- 
panions were,  Mr.  Wilkins  went  along  quite  gleefully,  first 
borrowing  and  treating,  and  then  changing  the  condition  of 
things  a  little  by  treating  and  borrowing  afterward.  That  this 
suited  both  gentlemen  there  can  be  no  question.  Mr.  Thom- 
son had  confidence  in  human  nature,  and  believed  that  the 
liberal  loans  he  was  making  to  his  friend  would  be  returned, 
and,  per  consequence,  his  pleasure  was  actually  costing  him 
nothing.  Mr.  Wilkins's  intentions  were  of  the  very  highest 
order,  but  his  almost  constant  mingling  of  pleasure  with  duty 


190  WOXTUS,  OR 

invariably  rendered  his  most  excellent  intentions  null  and 
void  ;  he  therefore  borrowed  with  impunity. 

I  do  not  know  that  there  is  any  particular  fascination  about 
a  railroad  depot ;  in  fact,  I  am  sure  there  is  not,  except  that 
it  affords  one  a  fine  opportunity  to  have  a  hasty  glance  at 
hasty  people ;  and  yet  what  stranger  who  had  time  hanging 
heavily  on  his  hands  ever  passed  a  railroad  depot  without 
going  in  and  tiiking  a  look  around  ?  If  there  are  any  such, 
Messrs.  Thomson  and  Wilkins  were  exceptions.  The  Canton- 
street  depot  fell  in  their  way,  and  they  walked  in.  A  train  of 
cars  had  just  come  in,  and  was  freighted,  as  was  usual,  with  a 
goodly  number  of  soldiei-s.  It  was  rather  a  novel  sight  for 
Mr.  Thomson,  and,  steadying  himself  by  the  doorway,  he 
gazed  vacantly  into  the  faces  as  they  passed.  I  am  thoroughly 
convinced  in  my  own  mind,  and  the  circumstance  which  I  am 
about  to  relate  proves  the  correctness  of  my  belief,  that  Mr. 
Thomson  did  not  see  arfV  single  individual  who  passed  him. 
The  fiice  of  a  man  partially  drunk  would  certainly  never  be 
chosen  by  an  artist  for  the  study  of  intelligence,  and  I  am 
brought  to  this  conclusion  by  the  fact  that  while  Mr.  Thomson 
stood  leanins;  against  the  doorwav.  a  number  of  men  came  alons: 

CD       ~  1/   -  O 

whose  faces,  I  am  sure.  Mr.  Thomson  would  have  recollected, 
had  he  been  in  his  sober  senses.  There  were  Birkill,  3Iagdus, 
Captain  Haskius,  Smith,  McMinigan,  and,  if  I  mistake  not,  all 
the  other  heroes  of  Mr.  Thomson's  first  eifort  at  being  a  gen- 
tleman. The  party  were  dressed  in  the  livery  of  that  ubiqui- 
tous old  gentleman,  Uncle  Sam,  and  appeared  to  be  in  the 
same  flow  of  good  spirits  which  characterized  them  on  Mr. 
Thomson's  first  acquaintance,  at  the  oyster  wharves  elsewhere. 

It  was  no  unusual  thing,  in  these  early  days  of  the  war,  for 
parties  who  had  been  boys  and  men  together  for  years  to  enlist 
in  a  body,  and  it  so  occurred  that  the  gentlemen  above  referred 
to  had  been  attacked  by  the  war  fever,  and  were  now  eu  route 
to  join  their  regiment. 

"  I  tell  you  it's  him,"  cried  Birkill.  as  he  called  the  attention 
of  the  party  to  the  form  of  Thomas  Thomson. 

''  B'lieve  my  soul  it  is,"  replied  Captain  Magdus. 

"  And  he  don't  see  us,"  said  Birkill,  hairing  the  party,  and 
a  merry  twinkle  coming  into  his  eyes.  "  Here's  some  fun  !" 
he  continued,  after  a  moment's  pause.  "  Follow  me !"  and 
then,  to  the  inspiring  vocal  strains  of  "  The  Girl  I  left  Behind 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION:  191 

Mc,"  with  the  imitation  drum  accompaniment,  the  party  moved 
aloni?,  and  by  the  nn^rest  accident  in  the  world,  tirst  hustled 
Mr.  Thomson  from  his  support,  and  then  allowed  him  to  t'.U 
to  the  ground.  There  was  considerable  surprise  and  no  littb 
solicitude  manifested  by  the  party  when  it  was  discovered  that 
a  gentleman  had  been  accidental/ >/  knocked  down,  but  when  the 
gentleman  was  picked  up,  and  was  discovered  to  be  '•  our  old 
friend,  Mr.  Thomson  without  the  '  p,'  "the  surprise  was  doubled, 
and  the  most  friendly  congratulations  and  inquiries  followed. 

After  Mr.  Wilkins  had  been  introduced,  the  entire  party 
proceeded  to  the  boat.  It  wanted  but  a  few  moments  of  the 
hour  for  the  vessel  to  start,  and  as  Thomas  Thomson  expressed 
a  desire  to  remain  out  of  the  sight  of  Mr.  Wontus,  he  was 
carefully  deposited  on  a  pile  of  quartermaster's  stores,  in  the 
gangway,  while  Mr.  Wilkins  and  the  others  fell  to  enjoying 
themselves  as  best  suited  their  fancy. 

Mr.  Wontus  was  quietly  enjoying  what  is  expressively 
called  a  "  snooze,"  and  Mr.  Nidd  was  taking  a  view  of  Fort 
McHenry,  and  wondering  that  the  sentinels  who  paced  the 
wall  by  the  edge  of  the  water  did  not  first  fall  asleep  and  then 
fall  into  the  water,  when  the  bell  tapped,  and  the  hurry  and 
bustle  of  easting  ofi"  the  fastenings  commenced.  This  roused 
Mr.  Nidd  from  his  reverie,  and  he  took  his  stand  on  the 
promenade  deck  at  the  rear  of  the  boat. 

''  Cast  off  that  stern  hawser !"  cried  the  captain,  and  the 
wheels  commenced  to  revolve.  "  Cast  loose,  for'ard,  there  !" 
This  was  all  Mr.  Nidd  heard,  for  an  object  in  the  shape  of 
a  man,  with  a  large  traveling-bag  in  his  hand,  came  moving 
down  the  street  at  a  rapid  rate  of  speed,  sawing  the  air  with 
his  disengaged  hand,  and  yelling  at  the  top  of  his  voice  for 
the  boat  to  wait  for  him.  For  a  moment  Mr.  Nidd  stood  as 
though  riveted  to  the  spot.  His  hands  nervously  clutched 
the  taffrail,  and  he  bent  forward  to  be  better  able  to  see  the 
face  of  the  new-comer.  The  man  came  nearer,  and  a  moment 
more  would  see  him  upon  the  boat.  The  tide  was  running 
out  swiftly,  and  the  motion  of  the  wheels  was  fast  moving  the 
craft  out  into  the  stream.  If  they  were  stopped  there  was  a 
fair  chance  that  the  party  would  get  aboard.  But  they  were 
not,  and  all  because  Mr.  Nidd  suddenly  cried  out  "Scribendi!" 
and  (piickly  followed  that  exclamation  Avith  "  Let  her  go  !  Cast 
off  them  ropes!  Be  lively !  be  quick — botheration!  be  quick!" 


192  WOXTUS,  OR 

These  expressions.  startHnfr  in  themselves,  were  accompanied 
by  a  series  of  frantic  gesticulations,  which  drew  the  attention 
not  only  of  the  officers  of  the  boat,  but  everybody  else,  to  the 
speaker,  and  induced  the  pilot  to  believe  that  something  ter- 
rible had  happened  or  was  about  to  happen,  and  to  ring  on 
more  steam;  the  ultimate  result  of  which  was  that  the  boat 
shot  rapidly  forward,  and  left  the  wharf  just  far  enough  be- 
hind to  prevent  the  gentleman  on  shore  from  undertaking  to 
leap  on  board.  The  whole  affair  occurred  under  the  imme- 
diate and  intensely  interested  supervision  of  Mr.  Nidd ;  and 
no  sooner  did  he  observe  the  result,  and  the  disappointed 
look  which  the  face  of  the  man  on  the  slip  wore,  than  he 
threw  his  head  back,  placed  his  thumbs  in  the  arm-holes  of 
his  waistcoat,  and  then  and  there  actually  danced  what  he  in- 
tended for  a  most  triumphant  jig. 

The  conduct  of  3Ir.  Nidd  on  this  occasion  was  without 
question  malevolent ;  for,  as  he  stood  on  the  deck,  his  eyes 
fixed  on  the  receding  form  of  his  rival,  a  shade  of  pleasurable 
emotion  appeared  to  glide  over  his  countenance,  and,  without 
deig-ning  to  give  any  one  a  reason  for  his  singular  behavior, 
he  walked  to  his  state-room,  muttering  the  word,  "  Beautiful !" 


CHAPTER  XYL 


DOWN    THE    CHESAPEAKE — THE    PIRATES,    AND    THE    HERO- 
ISM   OF    BENJAMIN    WILKINS. 

The  coolness  of  the  sea  air.  together  with  the  monotonous 
motion  of  the  boat,  soon  lulled  the  passengers  into  silence,  and 
afterwards  to  sleep,  and  the  next  morning  dawned  very  much 
the  same  as  it  dawns  on  all  other  mornings  when  the  weather 
is  clear.  When  it  became  light  enough  to  distinguish  objects 
at  a  distance,  the  form  of  Thomas  Thomson  was  seen  standing 
on  the  forward  deck,  his  hands  resting  on  the  rail,  and  his 
eyes  fixed  upon  the  foaming  water  beneath  him.  As  he  stood 
there  his  face  wore  an  expression  of  deep  distress,  if  not  despair, 
and  he  mentally  vowed,  as  he  had  done  before,  that  he  would 
never  get  drunk  any  more. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  193 

The  sun  was  just  showing  his  face  over  the  tops  of  the  pine 
trees  which  fringed  the  eastern  shore  of  the  bay  when  lAIr.  ^ 
Wontus  stepped  out  from  his  state-room,  accompanied  by  Mr. 
Nidd.    The  two  made  their  way  to  the  promenade  deck,  where 
they  were  shortly  joined  by  Mr.  Wilkins. 

"A    grand    and    imposing   morning,"    said    Mr.    Wontus, 
stretching  his  arms  and  beating  his  breast  with  his  hands. 
''  And  lies  left  behind,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  rubbing  his  hands. 
"  Left  behind !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  wonderingly.     "  Who 
is  left  behind  ?" 

Mr.  Nidd  made  no  reply ;  his  mind  appeared  to  be  wander- 
ing back  to  the  evening  before,  when  he  had  been  so  instru- 
mental in  clearing  the  boat  from  her  fastenings,  and  thereby 
leaving  an  anxious  gentleman  on  shore. 

Mr.  Wontus  found  it  necessary  to  repeat  his  question. 
"  Scribendi !— Edward  Pason  Montcalm  Higginson."  As 
Mr.  Nidd  spoke  he  laughed  most  immoderately,  and  as  such 
conduct  on  his  part  was  extraordinary,  Mr.  Wontus  looked 
more  astonished  than  ever,  and  asked  Mr.  Nidd  if  he  had  slept 
well,  and  if  he  felt  well  now. 

"  I  am  almost  sorry,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  after  a  pause,  and 
without  heeding  his  friend's  query  concerning  his  health, 
"  that  I  didn't  let  him  get  aboard.  (A  pause,  during  which 
Mr.  Nidd  looked  down  into  the  water.)  I'd  have  drowned 
him."  he  continued,  his  face  assuming  an  almost  savage  ex- 
pression. "  Would  I  forgive  him  ?  I'll  see  ;  yes,  I'll  see. 
This  was  said  as  though  he  was  speaking  to  himself;  and  more 
of  the  same  style  might  have  followed  had  it  not  been  that 
Mr.  Wontus  interrupted  by  demanding  an  explanation.  The 
whole  affair  was  a  mystery  to  him,  and  he  feared  that  Nidd 
might  be  afflicted  with  the  primary  symptoms  of  lunacy.  Mr. 
Nidd  therefore  explained,  and  the  party  soon  after  retired  to 

breakfast.  n    t  x         a 

It  was  after  breakfast,  for  the  boat  was  unusually  late,  and 
Mr.  Wontus  and  Nidd  were  sitting  on  the  after-deck,  smoking 
their  cio-ars  and  listening  to  the  conversation  of  the  passengers 
concernmg  the  conduct  of  the  war  (a  veiy  popular  subject  at 
this  time),  when  Mr.  Wilkins  approached  and  asked  Mr. 
Wontus  for  the  loan  of  his  cigar  until  he  lit  his.  ^^ 

"  This  is  a  perfect  inland  sea,— a  beautiful  sheet  of  water, 
said  Mr.  Wontus,  without  addressing  anybody  in  particular. 
I  17 


194  WO X TVS,  OR 

"  Very  fine,"  said  Mr.  Nidrl.  puffinir  his  cigar. 

"  It  'minds  me,"  said  Mr.  Wilkins,  sitting  down  and  placing 
his  feet  on  the  chair  in  front  of  him,  and  holding  his  cigar 
between  his  fingers, ''  of  a  voyage  I  once  made  in  tlie  Caribbean 
Sea.     The  pirates  were  very  troublesome  at  that  time." 

"  Pirates !"  interrupted  Mr.  Wontus,  turning  to  Mr.  AVilkins, 
and  speaking  in  accents  of  interest;  "  I've  often  read  of  them, 
but  it  has  never  been  my  good  fortune  to  meet  with  a  man  who 
has  come  in  contiict  with  them." 

'•Didn't?"  asked  Mr.  Wilkins,  nonchalantly. 

'•  Never  !"  said  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  Oh,  I've  met  'em,  often,  in  different  ways  and  latitudes," 
replied  AVilkius.  pufl&ng  his  cigar  again. 

''  Indeed  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus.  '•  Why,  I  thought  they 
were  such  blood-thirsty  people  that  no  man  was  ever  left  to  tell 
the  tale." 

"  Nor  they  ain't,  as  a  general  thing,"  said  Mr.  Wilkins. 

"  And  you  met  them  ? — the  pirates  themselves?" 

"  Yes." 

"And  escaped  ?" 

"Yes." 

"  Didn't  lose  your  life?" 

It  was  a  rather  singular  question  under  the  circumstances. 

"  No,  but  I  had  considerable  trouble  to  save  it,  although  I 
didn't  think  much  of  it  then."  This  was  said  by  Mr.  Wilkins 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  convey  the  idea  that  he  considered  it 
but  an  every-day  affiiir,  and  would  like  to  drop  the  subject. 
But  Mr.  Wontus  was  interested,  and  insisted  on  hearing  the 
story.  ''  We  have  plenty  of  time  yet,"  said  he.  "  The  captain 
says  that  we  will  not  be  in  for  an  hour  or  two,  and  I  should 
like  to  hear  you  tell  it.  Wouldn't  we.  Nidd  ?"  Mr.  Nidd, 
thus  appealed  to,  thought  he  would  oblige  3Ir.  Wontus,  and 
accordingly  said  "  We  would.  ' 

"  It  was  just  such  a  place  as  this  here,  but  a  little  off  shore," 
said  Mr.  Wilkins.  clearing  his  throat  and  moving  his  hand 
toward  the  land.  ''  We  had  touched  at  Barbadoes  the  day  be- 
fore to  take  on  the  captain's  niece,  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
and  interestin'  young  ladies  I  ever  saw ;  and  was  all  a  lookin' 
to  a  quick  and  safe  pa.ssage  home,  and  in  a  pretty  general  high 
good  humor.  We  were  standin'  a  little  to  the  no'th  of  east, 
under  a  stiff  breeze,  with  the  mizzeu,  spanker,  fo'-top  gallants, 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  195 

all  the  jibs,  mains'l,  and  maintop  studdin'  sails  all  set  and  trim  ; 
and  the  skys'l  in  the  wind.  (A  pause.)  But>— indeed,  gen- 
tlemen, I  don't  want  to  be  horrofierin'  you  with  scenes  like 
this  one  was."     And  Mr.  Wilkins  again  smoked  his  cigar. 

"  Go  on,  Mr.  Wilkins,  go  on  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  turning 
round  in  his  chair  and  looking  at  Wilkins.  "  Go  on,  sir ; 
I  demand— we  demand  it.  Don't  we,  Nidd  ?"  Mr.  Nidd  said 
"  We  do,"  and  the  story  proceeded. 

"  Well,"  continued  the  story-teller,  "  I  was,  at  this  time,  the 
first  mate  of  the  brig  Galatsea,  as  trim  and  snug  a  craft  as  ever 
carved  the  water  of  the  ocean,  and  almost  as  swift  as  the  Flyin' 
Dutchman.     Captain  Jacobs,  of  the  State  of  Maine,  was  her 
commander,  and  I  was  the  first  officer.    We  were  sailin'  along 
on  the  outside  of  the  islands,  and  were  just  a  little  off"  Martin- 
ique, when  a  lively-lookin'  ketch  shot  out  from  under  the  land 
up  toward  Dominica, — I'm  partic'lar  about  the  places,  because 
I  want  to  come  right  down  to  the  facts,— and  made  right  for 
us,  with  all  her  canvas  pullin'  like  a  harpooned  whale.     There 
wasn't  nothin'  singular  about  the  boat,  and  I've  seen  hundreds 
of  'em  pass  the  ship  without  givin'  'em  the  slightest  particle 
of  notice,  but  this  here  feller  kind  of  somehow  or  another  ex- 
cited my  attention,  and  says  I  to  myself,  says  I,  '  Ben,  better 
keep  your  weather  eye  open,  old  boy  ;'  and,  by  gracious  !  I  did, 
old  man.    Bonaparte  can  say  what  he  pleases,  gentlemen,  about 
Providence  bein'  on  the  side  of  the  heaviest  artillery,^  but  my 
experience  is  that  Provey's  somewhere  else  too,  sometimes." 

"  Quite  right,'-  remarked  Mr.  Wontus,  in  an  attitude  of  deep 
attention.    "  Quite  right." 

"  You  see,  our  ship  bein'  a  merchantman,  didn't  have  more 
than  enough  men  to  work  her,  and  very  few  arms ;  so  without 
lettin'  on,  says  I  to  old  Joe  Bunker,  one  of  the  fo'-top  men, 
'  Joe,  you  go  down  in  the  hold  and  get  out  that  chist  of  cut- 
lasses, and  send  'em  up  along  with  all  the  muskets  you  can 
find.  I  want,'  says  I,  '  to  see  just  what  there  is  on  this  here 
ship,  and  clean  things  up,  so  that  when  we  get  into  port  we 
can  invite  folks  on  board  and  make  somethin'  like  a  show.' 
The  old  man  didn't  say  nothin',  nor  did  I,  for  I  didn't  want 
to  raise  no  fuss  or  alarm,  but  I  thought  I'd  just  have  things 
ready,  and  if  there  wasn't  any  occasion  to  use  'em,  why,  it 
wasn't  any  trouble  to  put  'em  away  again  ;  all  the  time,  though, 
I  kind  of  thought  that  we'd  want  'em,  and  kept  my  eye  on 


196  WOXTUS,  OR 

the  ketch."  (The  speaker  ceased,  and  commenced  vigorously 
puffing  his  cigar.)  ''She  looked  innocent  enough,  was  as  light 
as  a  duck,  and  was  now  just  abreast  of  the  waist  of  the  ship, 
and  seemed  to  be  gettin'  in  on  the  same  tack  as  ourselves, 
without  comin'  closer ;  but  still  I  watched  her,  and  it  was  a 
pretty  good  thing  I  did,  for  it  gave  us  a  show  which  we 
wouldn't  a'  had  if  I  hadn't.  It  wasn't  long  before  Joe  sent 
the  chist  and  the  muskets  up,  and  I  was  look  in'  at  'em  ;  thinks 
I,  them's  pretty  heavy  war  material,  but  I  didn't  say  nothin', 
only  call  a  couple  of  men  and  start  'em  to  gettin'  out  the  am- 
munition and  cleanin'  the  muskets  up.  The  chist  I  undertook 
to  open  myself,  but,  be  thunder !  it  was  rusted  clean  shut  and 
the  hinges  wouldn't  move,  so  I  sent  for  a  screw-driver  and 
took  the  hinges  off.  (Smoke.)  Now,  gentlemen,  a  screw- 
driver ain't  much  of  an  instrument  for  fightin'  with,  is  it?" 

Mr.  Wontus  said  it  was  not,  and  the  bystanders  agreed  with 
him, 

"  Well,  while  I  was  gettin'  out  the  cutlasses,  the  young  lady 
come  along,  looking  so  sweet  and  nice,  that  I  almost  trembled 
when  I  looked  at  her. 

"  '  What  are  you  doin',  Mr.  Wilkins?'  says  she,  kickin'  the 
butt  of  a  musket  with  her  pretty  little  foot. 

"  '  Oh,  just  brightneu'  up  things,'  says  I ;  '  when  we've  got 
handsome  young  ladies  aboard  we've  got  to  have  things  lookin' 
ship-shape.' 

"  '  Why,'  says  she,  a-smilin'  in  a  way  that  most  made  my 
heart  sick,  '  you  look  as  if  you  were  cxpectin'  a  corsair  to 
attack  us,  and  you  were  makin'  preparations  to  defend  us.' 

"  '  Oh,  I  guess  not,'  says  I.  And  I  took  a  sly  squint  at 
my  ketch  over  the  taffrail. 

"  '  Oh,  I  hope  one  will  come !  I  would  so  love  to  see  a 
real  live  corsair,  such  as  I  have  read  about.'  And  the  young 
lady  went  on  a-clappin'  her  hands  in  high  delight.  Directly 
says  she,  a-soberin'  down  and  lookin'  regretful  like,  '  I  don't 
believe  any  will  come  ;  but  I  wish  they  would  ;  I  do  so.'  And 
sayin'  this,  she  flung  herself  around  and  passed  aft." 

"  Brave  girl !  very  brave  girl !"  said  some  of  the  passengers, 
who  had  become  interested  listeners. 

"  Fool  !  "  said  Mr.  Xidd,  without  raising  his  head  or  show- 
ing the  slightest  emotion. 

Mr.  Wontus  cast  a  glance  at  his  friend,  and  would  probably 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  197 

have  made  some  rem:irk  had  it  not  been  for  Mr.  Wilkins,  who 
secured  a  new  light  tor  his  cigar,  and  continued : 

''  It  was  about  four  bells,  I  guess,  when  I  first  spied  my 
gentleman,  and  it  was  now  nearly  noon,  and  yet  the  feller  had 
been  about  the  same  distance  off  for  the  last  hour.  Every- 
thing was  now  in  as  good  order  as  it  could  be  put  in,  and  the 
guns  was  all  loaded,  and  I  kept  'em  on  deck  without  creatin' 
any  talk  by  sayin'  we'd  have  a  salute  at  sundown  in  honor  of 
the  young  lady.  (Smoke.)  '  Now,  Benjamin,'  says  I, '  you've 
done  about  what's  right,  you'd  better  go  aloft  and  see  what 
you  can  see.'  Up  I  goes,  and  I  had  hardly  got  into  the  top 
when  the  ketch  laid  her  helm  hard  aport,  and  was  makin'  right 
for  us.  (Smoke.)  From  where  I  was  I  could  see  her  deck 
through  the  glass ;  but  there  was  nothin'  there  but  the  cove 
at  the"  helm  and  two  or  three  fellers  tendin'  sail.  I  commenced 
to  think  that  I'd  been  mistaken  after  all,  and  that  the  feller 
was  nothin'  more'n  a  market  craft,  when  I  spied  some  move- 
ments about  the  aft  hatch,  and  two  or  three  heads  stick  out  and 
then  dart  back  again.  This  was  pretty  convincin'  evidence 
that  the  feller  wasn't  exactly  snug  and  right,  so  I  goes  down 
on  deck  and  tell  the  captain  the  whole  affair. 

"  '  Mr.  Wilkins,'  says  he,  in  a  partic'lar  laughin'  way  he  had 
when  he  didn't  exactly  take  things  in,  '  I  guess  there  ain't 
nothin'  the  matter  with  the  feller ;  there  ain't  none  of  them 
kind  of  people  in  these  waters  about  now,  I'm  of  the  opinion  ; 
but  it  won't  hurt  nothin'  to  put  on  a  little  more  sail,  and  we'll 
leave  him  astern  just  for  fun.' 

" '  Ay,  ay,  cap,'  says  I ;  but  I  meant  to  keep  a  bright 
eye  in  my  head,  and  I  went  on  deck  and  had  the  ship  dressed 
in  all  the  canvas  she  owned.  My  eyes  !  she  nearly  jumped 
out  of  the  water,  and  I  commenced  to  think  that  the  thing 
was  about  over,  when  old  Joe  Bunker  comes  up,  and,  says  he, 
'  xMr.  Wilkins,  them  fellers  is  a-catchin'  up  on  to  us.'  I 
looked  over  the  rail,  and,  by  gracious !  there  the  ketch  come 
sure  enough,  a-jumpin'  through  the  water  like  mad,  and  with 
my  naked  eye  I  could  see  her  deck  a-swarmin'  with  as  dirty 
a  lookin'  set  of  thieves  as  ever  st<)od  up  under  canvas. 

"  '  Beat  to  quarters !'  I  yelled,  thinkin'  I  was  on  board  a 
man-o'-war.  But  it  didn't  make  any  difference,  for  it  seemed 
as  if  everybody  understood  the  thing  at  once ;  and,  nearly  as 

17* 


198  woxTUS,  on 

quick  as  it  takes  me  to  tell  it,  every  man  had  his  musket  and 
sabre :  some  of  'em  had  two  sabres. 

''  '  What  in  the  devil's  up  ?'  cried  Captain  Jacobs,  comin' 
out  of  the  cabin,  with  the  young  lady  close  behind  him. 

"  '  Up?'  says  I.  '  The  devils  up  !'  And  I  pointed  to  the 
ketch,  which  was  glidin'  over  the  water  like  a  gull,  and  comin' 
close  and  closer  every  minute. 

"  '  Put  on  more  sail !'  cried  the  captain. 

"  '  Can't  do  it,  sir,'  says  I.  '  She's  got  all  she'll  hold  now.' 
The  captain  thro  wed  his  eyes  aloft,  and  seen  the  truth  of  my 
■words. 

"  '  The  Galatea  never  was  beat  a-sailin',  cried  the  captain, 
'and  she  sha'n't  be  beat  now.'  " 

A  murmur  ran  through  the  crowd  of  listeners,  and  Mr. 
Wilkins  smoked  more  vigorously  than  ever. 

"  I  cast  my  eye  at  the  ketch,  which  was  now  jumpin'  along 
like  a  race-horse,  and  beside  which  the  Galataea  seemed  to  be 
a  snail,  and  then  I  looked  at  the  lovely  girl.  There  she  stood, 
her  silky  tresses  wavin'  in  the  breeze,  and  her  blue  eyes 
flashin'  like  lanterns  on  a  dark  night.  Her  brow  was  clouded,  ^ 
and  her  ruby  lips  was  frozed  together  like  chunks  of  coral. 
(Smoke.)  I  can't  say  exactly  that  I  know  what  love  is,  gen- 
tlemen, but  at  that  moment  I  rather  think  that  I  loved  that 
girl,  for  I  made  up  my  mind  that,  live  or  die,  sink  or  swim, 
bust  up  or  go  down,  I'd  stand  by  her.  '  Ben  Wilkins,'  says 
I,  'you  shall  do  it !'  and  shiver  my  tarry  top-lights  if  I  didn't. 
But  there  wasn't  much  time  to  think  of  anything,  so  I 
glanced  around  at  the  men  ;  but.  from  the  looks  of  things,  I 
felt  that  there  wasn't  much  to  be  looked  for  from  them,  and 
the  captain  had  gone  below  for  his  pistols. 

"  '  Miss,'  says  I,  stcppin'  up  to  the  young  woman.  '  can  you 
fight?' 

"  '  Fight  ?'  says  she,  her  lips  curlin'  and  her  beautiful  eyes 
snappin'.  'Fight?  Indeed,  I  can!  But  I  haven't  got  no 
arms.' 

"  '•  There's  a  pistol,'  says  I,  handin'  one  of  my  weapons  to 
her.     I  turned  my  attention  to  other  things." 

"  Astonishing  !"  interrupted  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  Astonishin'  ?  Well,  I  should  think  it  was.  But  just 
hold  on  a  minute.  Directin'  the  girl  to  stand  by  me,  and 
tellin'  her  that  no  harm  should  come  to  her  except  over  my 


THE  CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  ]<)9 

lifeless  body,  I  took  another  look  over  the  side,  and  there  was 
the  ketch,  swarmin'  with  pirates,  just  under  our  (quarter. 

"  '  Here  they  come,  boys  !'  I  cried,  and  I  jumped  for  a  cut- 
lass. Old  Joe  Bunker  jumped  at  the  same  time,  and  as  soon 
as  we  got  our  weapons,  me  and  him  and  the  girl  went  to  the 
poop  and  prepared  ourselves  for  the  muss."  (Here  Mr.  Wil- 
kins  paused  for  a  moment,  as  though  overcome  by  the  memo- 
ries of  that  dreadful  day.)  "  Poor  man  !  I've  never  seen 
Captain  Jacobs  since.  We  had  hardly  got  the  lady  sheltered 
behind  us  when  the  devils  come  a-rushin'  over  the  side  like  a 
parcel  of  monkeys.  There  must  have  been  over  a  hundred 
of  'em,  and  our  crew  didn't  count  over  twenty-two  men,  all 
told ;  and  each  of  'em  was  armed  with  a  kind  of  a  spear  like 
a  boat-hook,  and  a  big  knife.  I  can  never  forget  'em.  As 
they  crawled  along  the  bulwarks,  they  looked  so  much  like  the 
blood-thirsty  monsters  which  I  fell  in  with  once  off  the  coast 
of  Africa.  But  somethin'  had  to  be  done,  so  I  sung  out  to  look 
out  for  them ;  and  then  such  a  scene  took  place  as  I  hope,  as  I 
am  a  livin'  man,  I  never  want  to  see  again.  The  boys  had  got 
together  on  the  fo'cas'le,  and  were  poppin'  away  as  fast  as 
they  could  load ;  but  the  thieves  dropped  over  the  sides,  and 
hid  behind  the  galley  and  other  places,  until  there  must  have 
been  more  than  half  of  the  whole  crowd  on  the  ship.  Of 
course,  Joe  and  I  weren't  idle,  and  we  made  more  than  one 
of  the  bloody  scoundrels  roll  round  in  his  own  gore  durin'  the 
time  they  were  gettin'  together  for  a  charge." 

"  The  girl !  the  young  lady !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  excitedly. 
"What  was  she  doing?" 

"  She? — she  was  couchin'  behind  the  binnacle.  I  wouldn't 
let  her  expose  her  life  needlessly,  although  she  kept  her  pistol 
cocked,  and  often  wanted  to  have  a  shot.  But  I  couldn't 
allow  it,  you  see,  gentlemen  ;  I  couldn't  allow  it." 

"  Certainly  not !"  cried  a  chorus  of  voices. 

"  Well,  the  whole  thing  took  place  in  a  flash,  and  before  I 
knowed  exactly  what  had  been  done,  there  wasn't  a  man  of  all 
our  crew  left  standin'  on  the  deck.  The  pirates  rushed  into 
the  poor  fellers  in  a  mob,  and  them  that  they  didn't  spear  or 
cut  down  with  their  knives  they  chucked  overboard,  and  the 
deck  was  swimmin'  with  blood.  The  crew  fighted  well, — like 
tigers, — but  the  number  was  overpowerin',  and  they  caved 
like  srass  before  the  mower.     The  cuttin'  and  slashin'  was 


200  TVOXTUS,  OR 

horrible,  and  for  a  moment — only  a  moment — I  didn't  know 
wliiit  to  do.  There  was  one  big  feller,  with  a  red  cap  on  his 
head,  who  appeared  to  be  the  leader,  and  thinks  I  to  myself, 
'  If  I  can  get  you,  this  thing  may  make  a  change  yet.'  I  was 
just  runnin'  this  through  my  mind  when  the  pirates  got  a 
sight  of  the  young  woman's  dress  floatin'  in  the  wind,  and, 
with  a  fiendish  howl,  they  started  aft.  My  mind  was  made 
up  in  a  moment,  and  tellin'  the  girl  to  keep  quiet,  and  biddin' 
Joe  follow  me,  I  dashed  down  ofi"  the  poop  and  made  for  'em, 
Joe  just  behind  me.     (Smoke.) 

"  A  good  many  of  the  devils  was  a-lookin'  after  plunder 
about  the  ship,  but  there  must  have  been  more  nor  a  dozen 
under  the  command  of  the  feller  with  the  red  cap.  We  met 
'em  about  amidships,  and  me  and  the  feller  with  the  red  cap 
commenced  business  immediately.  I  pulled  my  pistol  on  bim, 
but  she  missed  fire,  and  then  we  closed.  The  man  was  nearly 
double  my  heft,  and  fought  like  a  fiend.  But  it  was  no  use, 
for  we  clinched;  and  I  just  doubled  him  over  backwards,  arid 
then  rammed  the  end  of  his  spear-handle  down  his  throat, 
and  he  went  under.  (Sensation  on  the  part  of  the  listeners.) 
When  I  got  time  to  look  around,  Joe  was  a-lyin'  dead  at  my 
feet,  with  about  a  dozen  lyin'  dead  around  him,  every  one 
bearin'  the  wide  mark  of  Joe's  cutlass.  But  there  wasn't 
much  time  to  do  any  lookin'  or  thinkin'  either  just  about 
then  ;  so,  drawin'  my  weapon,  I  sailed  into  the  crowd,  and 
beat  'em  back  to  near  the  fo'mast,  where  they  turned  on  me, 
and  things  got  warmer  than  I  ever  want  to  see  'em  again,  I 
tell  you.'^ 

"How  many  were  in  the  crowd  which  you  and  Joe  attacked 
in  the  first  place  ?"  asked  Mr.  Xidd,  looking  up. 

"  Well,  over  a  dozen,  I  reckon." 

"  And  Joe  had  a  dozen  dead  ones  piled  around  him,  had 
he?" 

"  Yes." 

"  Well  now,  Mr.  Wilkins,  how  many  was  in  the  party  you 
drove  to  the  mast?"  A  murmur  ran  through  the  crowd  of 
listeners. 

The  narrator  saw  that  he  had  made  a  slight  mistake,  and 
sought  to  rectify  it.  "  You  see,"  said  he,  placing  his  cigar  in 
his  mouth  and  rolling  it  around  like  a  cow  does  her  cud, 
"  there  was  a  lot  of  'em  come  up  out  of  the  fo'hatch  just  as 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  201 

I  was  a  scttlin'  the  leader,  so  after  Joe  had  finished  his  men 
there  was  as  many  more  left." 

The  explanation  was  evidently  satisfactory,  and  the  speaker 
continued : 

"  My  idea  was  to  keep  myself  between  the  pirates  and  the 
girl,  but,  gentlemen,  it  wasn't  within  the  range  of  a  human 
bein's  power  to  do  it,  for  they  crowded  around  me  as  thick  as 
flies  in  a  sugar  bar'l,  and  I  had  to  take  the  best  ground  I 
could  to  defend  myself  I  kept  'em  back  a  long  while,  and  we 
cut  and  slashed  in  fine  style.  I  don't  think  I  ever  made  so 
many — and  I've  made  considerable — narrow  escapes  in  my 
life.  Why,  really  my  clothin'  was  fairly  shaved  off  from  my 
body,  and  one  feller  would  have  taken  off  my  head  if  I  hadn't 
been  a  little  too  quick  for  him  and  dodged ;  as  it  was  he  cut 
off  all  the  hair  on  the  top  of  my  head  so  thunderin'  close  that 
I  looked  as  if  I  was  bald.  (Another  murmur  in  the  crowd.) 
But  I  stuck  to  'em  until  my  strength  commenced  to  give  out, 
and  then  castin'  my  eyes  to  the  poop,  I  saw  that  it  was  all 
up,  for  two  or  three  of  the  scoundrels  were  there  and  was 
holdin'  the  strugglin'  girl  by  the  arms.  'Here's  the  only 
chance  left,'  says  I ;  so  knockin'  three  or  four  of  'em  down 
with  my  fists,  I  took  hold  of  the  mainstay,  and,  before  they 
recovered  themselves,  I  pulled  myself,  hand  over  hand,  out  of 
their  reach,  and  then  swung  myself  on  to  the  main  yard-arm 
and  took  a  blow.  But  maybe  I'm  tirin'  you,  gentlemen?" 
said  Mr.  Wilkins,  complacently,  after  a  pause. 

"  No  ;  go  on  !  go  on  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus  and  others.  "Go 
on!" 

The  speaker  went  on :  "  But  I  wasn't  allowed  to  rest  there 
long  before  a  half-dozen  of  the  pirates  commenced  climbin' 
the  shrouds,  holdin'  their  knives  in  their  teeth.  Says  I, '  Ben, 
your  time's  about  come ;'  but  bein'  a  good  swimmer  I  made 
up  my  mind  that  I'd  make  one  more  effort,  so  just  as  they  were 
climbin'  over  the  main-top  I  dropped  down  into  the  sea  with 
a  yell,  and  swam  under  the  ship's  bottom,  where  I  took  hold 
of  the  keel  and  held  fast  till  I  felt  sure  that  the  pirates  would 
believe  I  had  gone  to  the  bottom  or  been  devoured  by  sharks 
(Smoke.) 

"  I  forgot  to  mentK)n,"  said  the  speaker,  pausing,  "  that  I 
dropped  my  cutlass  durin'  the  fight  on  deck,  and  picked  up 
the  screw-driver  and  rammed  it  in  my  belt  just  as  I  was  goiu' 
I* 


202  woyrus,  or 

up  the  stay.  I  mention  this  here  because  that  screw-driver 
is  of  considerable  account  in  the  completion  of  this  story,  or 
was  to  me,  anyhow.  Well,  as  I  was  sayiu',  I  held  fast  to  the 
keel  for  some  considerable  time,  and  then  pulled  myself  along 
the  bottom  till  I  saw  the  ketch  move  off,  and  the  ship  luff 
around  into  the  wind  and  move  toward  the  shore.  Now, 
thinks  I,  most  of  'em  have  gone  and  now's  the  time  for  me 
to  act.  Climbin'  up  the  cut-water,  which  was  pretty  hard 
work,  I  swung  myself  on  the  martingale,  got  on  to  the  jib- 
boom  and  took  a  peep  over  the  deck  ;  and  there,  what  a  sight 
met  my  eyes !  (Smoke.")  The  deck  was  swimmin'  with 
blood,  and  not  more  than  fifteen  or  twenty  of  the  pirates  were 
left  to  navigate  the  ship.  There  was  the  mu-kets  a-layin' 
scattered  over  the  fo' castle,  but  there  were  two  or  three  of  the 
villains  between  me  and  them,  and  I  commenced  to  form  a 
plan  for  gittin'  to  'em.  I  had  no  weapons,  leastwise  I  thought 
I  hadn't,  when  my  hand  accidentall}^  touched  the  screw-driver 
in  my  belt,  and  my  heart  liked  to  have  jumped  out  of  my 
mouth  with  gladness.  Have  you  ever  been  that  way  ?"  asked 
Mr.  Wilkins,  stopping  the  story  and  looking  round  at  the 
party ;  but  before  any  one  had  an  opportunity  to  reply  he  an- 
swered the  question  himself,  and  commenced  to  furnish  a  dis- 
sertation on  the  different  feelings  w^hich  come  over  a  man 
under  sundry  circumstances  which  he  mentioned.  In  fact,  he 
waded  so  deeply  into  his  new  subject  that  it  was  only  after  a 
rather  severe  reprimand  from  Mr.  Wontus  that  he  went  on 
with  the  narrative. 

"AYell,  to  return,"  said  he.  "The  moment  I  felt  the 
screw-driver  in  my  hand,  that  minute  I  felt  that  there  was 
hope.  For  myself  I  didn't  care ;  but  the  desire  to  save  the 
beautiful  creature,  thus  left  alone  among  a  barid  of  ferocious, 
unchristian  devils,  gave  me  new  strength,  and  I  felt  that  I 
could  fight  a  regiment.  The  fellers  between  me  and  the  mus- 
kets had  their  backs  to  me  ;  so  slidin'  down  the  boom,  with 
the  screw-driver  in  my  right  hand,  I  made  one  bound  for  the 
nearest  man,  and  sunk  the  tool  so  hard  into  his  back  that  it 
came  out  the  other  side.  Quick  as  lightnin'  I  drew  it  from 
his  body,  and  sunk  it  into  another  feller,  while  with  my  left 
hand  I  twisted  another's  head  so  bad  that  hp  fell  down  dead. 
So  in  I  went,  the  sight  of  warm,  fresh  blood  addiu'  fuel  to  my 
infuriated  passion,  until  I  reached  the  muskets.     Once  among 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION:  203 

tlie  muskets,  with  all  the  pirates  at  the  stern,  I  commenced 
lo.alin'  and  firin'  as  fast  as  I  could,  and  in  less  than  ten 
minutes  there  wasn't  a  live  head  to  be  seen  anywhere  on  the 
ship  s  deck  except  the  young  lady.  I  called  to  her  to  conic 
to  me,  and  she  did,  and  throwed  her  arms  around  my  neck 
and  called  me  her  deliverer.  (Smoke.)  But  this  wasn't  no 
time  for  thanks,  so  I  went  to  work  a-batterin'  down  the 
hatches,  to  keep  the  skunks  below  that  had  gone  there  to  keep 
clear  of  me.  When  that  was  done,  I  commenced  lookin' 
around  to  see  how  things  stood.  There  was  the  ketch  a-sailiu' 
otf  as  gay  as  a  lark,  thinkin'  that  the  Galat'^a  would  follow. 
But  she  didn't,  for,  takin'  the  young  woman  to  the  wheel,  I 
showed  her  how  to  keep  the  ship  steady.  Then  I  went  to  work 
throwin'  the  carcasses  overboard,  and  there  must  have  been  over 
fifty  of  'em,  all  told, — all  pirates.   (Sensation  and  more  smoke.) 

"  I  soon  got  things  pretty  well  fixed,  and  then  went  to  the 
wheel  myself  Of  course,  the  girl  was  about  played  out  with 
the  scenes  she'd  seen  and  the  work  she'd  done,  but  she  didn't 
want  to  give  up  ;  but  it  was  no  use.  So  makin'  her  sit  down 
I  commenced  manoeuvrin'  the  ship,  so  as  to  make  the  pirates 
on  the  ketch  think  she  was  becalmed,  and  in  that  way  night 
come  and  give  us  a  chance  to  escape.  They  signaled  once  or 
twice,  and  I  throwed  the  ship  around  into  the  wind  to  fool 
'em,  and  when  the  sun  went  down  they  was  hull  down.  As 
soon  as  they  were  out  of  sight  I  tacked  ship,  and  by  morniu' 
was  far  enough  out  of  their  reach." 

"  But  what  became  of  the  ship  and  the  young  lady  ?"  asked 
Mr.  AVoutus,  as  Wilkins  ceased  speaking,  and  was  about  to 
move  Oil. 

"  AV'hy,  we  had  a  good  breeze  and  fine  weather,"  he  con- 
tinued, turning  round,  "  and  takin'  turns,  me  and  the  girl 
sailed  her  into  New  Orleans  in  less  than  a  fortnight,  and  there 
I  left  her  to  keep  my  business  engagements  in  another  quar- 
ter. The  pirates  who  had  hid  in  the  hold  I  kept  there,  and 
delivered  them  to  the  authorities,  and  they  were  hung." 

"But  the  girl?"  queried  Mr.  Wontus. 

''  Well,  me  and  her  were  pretty  thick,  that's  a  fiict,  and  the 
owners  wanted  me  to  marry  her  and  take  charge  of  the  Ca- 
lat^a,  but  I  hadn't  time,  and  one  evenin'  I  just  cleared  out 
without  sayin'  a  word  to  anybody,  and  I've  never  seen  any  of 
'em  since." 


204  WOXTUS,  OR 

"  Wonderful !"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  skeptically. 

"  Self-sacrificing  !"  said  Mr.  Wontus. 

"Deserved  a  great  reward,"  said  a  score  of  voices;  and 
amid  the  exclamations  of  surprise  which  this  rather  remark- 
able story  had  elicited,  Mr.  Wilkins  threw  his  cigar  over- 
board, and  modestly  withdrew^  from  the  party. 

"A  great  liar  !"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  looking  after  the  retreating 
form  of  the  hero.  "  Baron  Munchausen  must  look  to  his 
laurels  as  long  as  that  man  lives.      Munchausen  himself " 

"Mr.  Xidd  !  Mr.  Nidd!"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  interrupting, 
"  be  a  little  charitable.  Perhaps  the  man  has  gone  through 
these  things.  In  fact,  from  his  earnest  manner  and  his  great 
familiarity  with  the  subject,  I  have  no  doubt  of  it." 

"  You're  right,  old  man,"  cried  a  voice  on  the  outside  of 
the  crowd,  which  sounded  like  Mr.  Birkell's ;  "  I  was  on  that 
ship  myself;  was  one  of  'em  that  was  chucked  overboard.  I 
swam  ashore,  and  am  here  to  corroborate  the  story, — every 
word  of  it.     It's  as  true  as  preachin'." 

Mr.  Wontus  jumped  to  his  feet  the  moment  the  words 
were  spoken,  and,  slapping  Nidd  on  the  shoulder,  with  a  tri- 
umphant look  in  his  eye,  demanded  to  know  what  he  (Nidd) 
thought  of  that.  The  bystanders  also  manifested  considerable 
interest.  But  the  boat  was  approaching  her  landing,  and 
amid  the  bustle  and  excitement  which  followed  this  event,  the 
affair  was  completely  swallowed,  and  some  important  informa- 
tion probably  lost  forever. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


NIDD  MEETS  WITH  A  TERRIBLE  ADVENTURE,  AND  THE 
CORPS  MAKES  SUNDRY  ACQUAINTANCES  OF  AN  AGREE- 
ABLE   CHARACTER. 

Few  of  my  readers,  I  dare  say,  have  ever  met  in  society  or 
elsewhere  the  renowned  Doctor  ^sculapius,  yet  I  imagine 
him  to  be  pretty  well  known  for  all  that,  for  on  every  side  I 
hear  of  his  beautiful  daughter  Hygeia.  I  am  not  certain,  but 
I  presume  that  it  must  have  been  the  fashion  of  the  day  in 


THE  CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  205 

which  this  daughter  was  born  to  the  doctor,  for  each  and  every 
one  of  the  female  sex  to  assume  some  degree  or  title,  for  I  find 
it  recorded  that  this  young  lady  grew  to  the  years  of  mature 
womanhood  without  experiencing  the  mumps  or  the  measles, 
or  any  of  the  other  events  which  mark  the  passing  years  of 
youth,  and  hence  on  arriving  at  that  interesting  age  was 
christened  Hygeia,  the  goddess  of  health. 

Now  the  young  woman  being  christened  a  goddess,  and 
goddesses  being  quite  fashionable,  and  fashionable  people  being 
much  sought  after,  suggests  the  thought  that  the  hotel  at 
Fortress  Monroe  is  called  the  Hygeia. 

A  hotel  anywhere  along  the  sea-coast  and  in  the  vicinity  of 
a  fort  is  not  generally  such  an  important  afiair  as  to  become  a 
matter  of  history,  and  yet  there  is  something  so  exceedingly 
odd  and  interesting  about  this  hotel,  just  at  this  time,  that  I 
cannot  forbear  mentioning  it.  Now  by  this  I  do  not  mean 
that  the  hotel  itself — that  is,  the  building  and  the  different 
rooms  —  is  very  odd  ;  but  I  refer  more  particularly  to  the 
people  who  inhabit  the  hotel,  and  may  be  considered  as  fix- 
tures, either  of  the  building  or  its  immediate  vicinity. 

It  was  Sunday  morning  that  the  Wontus  Corps  of  Observa- 
tion first  laid  eyes  on  the  Hygeia  Hotel,  and  saw  its  dark  and 
sombre  background,  the  walls  of  Fortress  Monroe.  A  few 
clouds  had  made  their  appearance  in  the  sky,  and  the  weather 
was  warm  and  murky.  I  cannot  say  whether  Mr.  Wontus 
was  aware  of  the  fact  that  it  was  Sunday  or  not,  but  when  at 
length  the  boat  was  fastened  to  the  wharf  he  insisted  that  the 
corps  should  remain  on  board,  and  it  was  not  until  every  other 
passenger  had  gone  ashore  that  Mr.  Wontus  and  his  party 
ventured  up  the  gang-plank  to  where  the  captain  of  the  boat 
was  standing.  Once  here,  Mr.  Wontus  inquired  if  his  baggage 
could  remain  aboard  until  he  had  secured  apartments  at  the 
hotel,  and  being  answered  in  the  affirmative,  he  took  Mr. 
Nidd's  arm  and  sauntered  up  the  wharf.  The  scene  was  so 
entirely  new  to  him  that  he  lost  no  time  in  expressing  his 
delight,  which  at  each  moment  was  heightened  by  some  new 
object  meeting  his  gaze,  and  ere  he  had  gone  many  steps  he 
stood  stock  still  and  looked  about  him. 

Directly  in  front  of  him  stood  the  hotel,  its  white  walls 
peeping  out  from  amidst  the  green  shrubbery,  and  behind  it 
were  the  gray  walls  of  the  fort,  from  whose  parapet  looked 

18 


206  wax  TVS,  or 

outward  the  black  muzzles  of  the  heavy  g:uns  of  defense.  In 
his  rear  lie  the  pleasant  waters  of  Hampton  Roads,  in  the 
middle  of  which  were  the  Rip-raps,  with  its  derricks  and 
tripods,  a  shapeless  mass  of  hny:(i  stones  and  iron  ;  and  farther 
over  were  the  glittering  white  sands  of  the  shores,  gradually 
losing  themselves  in  the  Elizabeth  River.  To  his  right  were 
the  capes  and  the  open  sea  in  the  distance,  and  nearer  was  the 
red  hull  of  the  light-sliip  rocking  in  the  silent,  ncver-cea.sing 
swell  of  the  ocean.  On  the  left,  and  beyond  the  shipping 
which  lie  at  anchor  in  the  dim  distance,  the  James  River  came 
stealing  down  until  it  mingled  with  the  Elizabeth  and  is  lost 
in  the  waters  of  the  Roads ;  while  nearer  is  the  faint  outline 
of  Newport  News,  and  the  grounds  made  forever  memorable 
by  the  Monitor  and  Merrimac  but  a  few  days  before.  Shore- 
ward are  seen  the  tree-tops  where  the  village  of  Hampton 
stood,  and  still  nearer  the  marine  hospitid  stands  like  a 
vidette  picket  on  the  bleak  sands  of  the  Peninsula.  Coming 
closer  are  the  camps  of  troops,  and  still  nearer  is  the  settlement 
of  contrabands.  All  these  things  Mr.  Wontus  saw  and 
admired ;  not  only  admired  himself,  but  compelled  the  com- 
pany to  join  him  in  his  admiration  and  agi*ee  in  his  remarks. 
The  passengers,  and  those  who  had  flocked  to  the  boat  to 
secure  the  newspapers  of  the  day  before,  had  left  the  wharf, 
but  still  ]Mr.  Wontus  and  his  party  lingered.  Now  the  freight 
was  being  landed ;  all  the  space  was  needed,  and  the  corps  was 
politely  requested  to  move  on.  The  party  started,  and.  in  all 
probability  would  have  gone  directly  to  the  hotel,  but  fur  the 
directions  from  a  sentinel  to  "  go  in  there,"  pointing  at  the 
same  time  to  a  small  frame  building,  over  the  door  of  which 
were  the  words  "  Provost  3Iai*shal.''  Mr.  Wontus  looked  at 
Nidd,  then  at  the  guard,  and  then  at  the  words  over  the  door. 
It  was  evident  that  he  still  retained  some  recollection  of  his 
Washington  experience,  for  no  sooner  had  he  comprehended 
the  meaning  of  the  words  than  he  almost  upset  Mr.  Nidd  by 
the  suddenness  of  his  movements  in  the  direction  indicated  by 
the  sentinel. 

''  Your  passes,  gentlemen,"  said  an  officer  who  was  sitting 
behind  a  small  rough  table  in  one  corner  of  the  little  room. 

''  Yes,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Wontus.  and  forthwith  he  commenced 
fumbling  in  his  different  pockets.  But  the  passes  were  not 
there,  and  the  great  drops  of  perspiration  stood  out  upon  his 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  207 

brow  as  he  announced  the  fact  that  he  could  not  find  the 
documents. 

''  Very  sorry,  gentlemen  ;  but  you  will  have  to  go  on  board 
the  steamer  auain  and  return  to  Baltimore.  Persons  not  in 
the  service  and  without  written  authority  are  not  permitted  to 
land  on  the  Point." 

Mr.  Nidd,  who  had  been  gazing  out  of  the  window,  with  his 
attention  fixed  on  the  shipping,  to  the  exclusion  of  more  impor- 
tant business,  now  turned  round,  and,  seeing  Mr.  Wontus  and 
the  rest  wearing  such  sorrowful  countenances,  asked  the  reason 
therefor,  and  was  informed.  His  only  reply  was  a  low  muttering, 
and  he  deposited  the  passes  on  the  table. 

"  All  correct !"  remarked  the  officer,  scanning  the  papers ; 
and  with  more  elasticity  than  was  usual  with  him  Mr.  Wontus 
walked  out  of  the  room  and  led  the  way  toward  the  hotel. 

"  How  very  beautiful  it  is!"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  as  he  reached 
the  sidewalk  running  in  front  of  the  hotel,  and  pointing  to  the 
long,  wide  veranda  which  traversed  the  entire  south  front  of 
the  building.  "How  cool  and  refreshing  it  looks!"  said  he, 
plucking  the  leaves  from  an  overhanging  branch.  "  I  suppose 
this  is  the  entrance."  And  he  laid  his  hand  upon  the  gate  and 
opened  it. 

"  Very  quiet,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  looking  up  and  down  the 
veranda. 

"  Somebody's  dead,  I  reckon,"  remarked  Mr.  Wilkins, 
coming  forward  and  manifesting  his  accustomed  interest. 
"  Shutters  shut." 

"  Ah,  there's  a  man !"  cried  Wontus,  as  a  soldier  with  his 
musket  at  a  shoulder  came  slowly  along  the  path.  "  We'll 
walk  in."     The  gentlemen  walked  in. 

"  Halt !"  commanded  the  soldier,  quickly,  but  not  so  quick 
as  to  prevent  Mr.  Wilkins  from  throwing  himself  at  full  length 
on  the  luxuriant  grass.  "You  can't  go  in  here,  sir!"  The 
last  was  addressed  to  Mr.  Nidd,  who  was  staring  the  man  in 
the  face  in  a  manner  which  some  people  would  be  inclined  to 
call  impudent. 

"  You  must  get  out  of  here !"  continued  the  soldier. 

"  Certainly,"  said  Mr.  Wontus;  and  he  walked  out,  accom- 
panied by  Wilkins  and  Thomson.  The  day  was  warm,  and 
the  shade  of  the  trees  was  most  refreshing.  Mr.  Nidd  con- 
cluded that  he  would  stay  where  he  was. 


208  WOXTUS,  OR 

"  Yr»u  must  get  out  of  here,"  said  the  guard,  as  Xidd  seated 
himself  on  the  steps  and  commenced  fanning  himself  with  his 
hat. 

"This  way,"  cried  Mr.  Won  t  us,  cheerfully  ;  and  he  passed 
on  up  the  sidewalk.  Mr.  Nidd  neitlier  .spoke  nor  moved,  his 
face  wore  a  look  of  warm,  stoical  indifference,  and  he  fanned 
himself  vigorously. 

"  Are  you  going  out?"  asked  the  soldier. 

Mr.  Nidd  made  no  reply,  nor  was  there  evpn  the  slightest 
indication  that  he  had  heard  the  remark.  There  was  silence  for 
a  time,  during  which  the  soldier  looked  at  Mr.  Nidd,  and  Mr. 
Nidd  looked  at  everything  but  the  interrogator. 

"  Come,  come!"'  said  the  guard,  at  length,  speaking  quickly, 
and  looking  about  him  as  though  he  was  fearful  that  he  might 
be  observed  and  thought  negligent  of  his  duty ;  "  you  must 
got  out  of  here,  do  you  hear  ?" 

Mr.  Nidd  cast  a  contemptuous  glance  at  the  guard,  and  then 
glanced  up  and  down  the  porch.  Placing  his  hat  upon  his 
head  he  at  length  stood  upon  his  feet,  aud  the  guard,  believing 
that  he  was  about  taking  his  departure  from  the  grounds  and 
that  portion  of  the  building  used  by  the  military  authorities 
for  the  storage  of  a  variety  of  material,  faced  about  and  pro- 
ceeded on  his  beat.  That  the  sentinel  was  mistaken  in  his 
conclusions  there  can  be  no  reasonable  doubt,  for  the  moment 
his  back  was  turned,  Nidd  very  unceremoniously  stepped  along 
the  sward,  and  again  seated  himself  on  the  porch.  From  his 
new  position  he  had  a  good  view  of  Mr.  Wontus.  who  was 
busily  engaged  in  making  sundry  necessary  inquiries  of  a 
number  of  gentlemen  at  the  corner  of  the  hotel.  Mr.  Nidd 
had  planted"  himself  beneath  the  shade  of  a  bushy  apple-tree 
whose  blossoms  perfumed  the  air  with  their  fragrance,  and  as 
he  took  off  his  hat  and  recommenced  the  fanning  process,  his 
face  wore  a  more  serene  and  contented  appearance.  He  looked 
comfortable. 

I  have  heard  of  men,  ignorant  of  the  imminent  peril  which 
underlaid  them,  sitting  on  a  barrel  of  powder,  complacently 
smoking  their  pipes ;  and  I  have  often  imagined  how  exceed- 
ingly uncomfortable  they  must  have  been  when  made  ac- 
quainted with  the  fact.  But  there  is  a  degi'ee  of  pleasure 
found  in  being  in  the  midst  of  danger,  when  you  feel  sure  in 
your  own  mind  that  either  Providence  or  some  arrangement 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  209 

of  your  own  makes  you  porfectly  safe,  which  cannot  be  found 
in  an}'  other  condition  in  life ;  at  least,  such  is  my  experience. 
But  no  matter. 

Mr.  Nidd  had  fixed  himself  in  the  most  comfortable  atti- 
tude, and  was  enjoying  the  cool  sea  air  which  fanned  his 
heated  brow,  when  the  guard  again  approached,  but  at  such  a 
distance  that  Mr.  Nidd  felt  sure  that  he  would  escape  his  at- 
tention. And  he  bid  fair  to  do  so,  for  the  guard  passed 
slowly  along,  with  his  eyes  turned  toward  the  shipping. 

Not  knowing  exactly,  I  take  the  liberty  of  presuming,  that 
most  people  have  experienced  that  peculiar  sensation  caused 
by  a  most  intense  desire  to  scratch  a  certain  part  of  the  body 
just  at  some  particular  time  when  one's  hands  are  in  such  a 
position  or  condition  as  to  effectually  prevent  any  such  move- 
ment, and  to  make  a  noise  just  at  some  particular  moment 
when  it  was  your  heart's  greatest  desire  to  remain  perfectly 
quiet.  At  the  very  moment  that  jMr.  Nidd  believed  that  he 
was  going  to  escape  the  vigilance  of  the  guard  and  be  allowed 
a  continuation  of  his  enjoyment,  he  was  taken  with  an  irre- 
pressible desire  to  sneeze.  Now  sneezing  was  something  that 
Mr.  Nidd  was  seldom  afflicted  with,  but  just  now  he  felt  that 
he  must  sneeze  or  die.  In  vain  he  pressed  his  handkerchief 
into  his  mouth  and  held  his  nose ;  it  icoidd  come,  and  come 
it  did,  and  in  a  most  astounding  fashion.  Once,  twice,  three 
times  he  sneezed,  and  in  such  a  manner  as  would  astonish  the 
ears  of  a  cannoneer. 

Instinctively,  the  guard  no  sooner  heard  the  sound  emanating 
from  a  forbidden  direction  than  he  let  his  piece  fall  into  the 
hollow  of  his  left  hand,  and,  gazing  through  the  intermediate 
foliage,  he  demanded  with  an  oath  what  ]Mr.  Nidd  was  doing 
there.  Had  IMr.  Nidd  been  inclined  to  answer,  it  is  probable 
that  he  could  not  have  articulated  a  word,  for  he  was  diligently 
applying  his  handkerchief  to  his  nose,  and  large,  pearly  tears 
were  standing  in  his  eyes. 

The  knowledge  that  the  intruder  had  disobeyed  the  former 
orders  to  vacate  the  premises,  and  the  rather  nonchalant  man- 
ner of  Mr.  Nidd,  had  evilently  aroused  the  guard's  ire,  for, 
upon  his  receiving  no  reply  to  his  request,  without  further 
ceremony  he  charged  at  Mr.  Nidd  with  a  rush,  and  barely 
gave  that  gentleman  time  to  gather  up  his  long  legs  and 
spiing  on  to  the  floor  of  the  veranda  before  he  was  upon 

18"- 


210  WOXTUS,  OR 

him.  The  reader  knows  that  3Ir.  NidJ  was  by  habit  generally 
austere  and  didactic  in  his  manner ;  but  now  that  he  was  op- 
posed in  such  a  terrible  manner,  and  had  little  or  no  exper- 
ience as  to  the  duties  or  privileges  of  a  soldier,  his  severe 
manner  was  increased,  and  the  moment  he  was  out  of  the  way 
of  the  bayonet  that  moment  he  commenced  such  a  tirade  of 
abuse  as  to  cause  3Ir.  Wontus  and  the  party  to  look  round  in 
wonder. 

"  Come  down  out  of  there !"  cried  the  soldier. 

"  I'm  a  free  American  citizen,"  shouted  Mr.  Nidd,  savagely, 
in  return,  ''  and  I'll  see  you  cursed  first !'' 

"  I'll  shoot  you !"  cried  the  soldier,  cocking  his  piece, 
which,  Mr.  Xidd  observed,  was  without  a  cap. 

"Shoot  and  be  continentaled  !''  cried  Nidd,  at  the  same 
time,  however,  seeking  the  protection  of  the  pile  of  material 
on  the  porch. 

The  sentinel  was  now  thoroughly  aroused.  There  was  mis- 
chief lurking  in  his  eye  and  manner.  "  I'll  see  about  this  !" 
said  he ;  and,  with  a  bound,  he  leaped  on  to  the  floor,  and, 
with  his  piece  at  a  charge,  he  made  at  Nidd  as  though  he 
thirsted  for  his  blood. 

''  Go  it,  old  man  !"  cried  the  party  at  the  corner,  now  thor- 
oughly interested  in  the  affair. 

But  Mr.  Xidd  wanted  no  advice,  for  the  determined  manner 
and  the  vigorous  lunges  which  the  guard  made  at  him  whtn- 
ever  he  came  near  enough  to  warrant  the  effort  was  all  that 
was  necessary  to  induce  him  to  go  it  just  as  fast  as  his  leg's 
would  carry  him. 

The  affair  commenced  to  assume  a  serious  as  well  as  a 
ludicrous  aspect ;  serious  to  Mr.  Nidd,  but  ludicrous  to  the 
bystanders.  First  around  one  corner  of  the  heap  of  boxes 
went  Nidd,  his  hat  on  the  back  of  his  head,  and  his  eyes 
thrown  to  the  rear  in  the  most  fearful  manner,  and  close  behind 
him  came  the  g-uard.  Now  they  went  following  each  other 
round  and  round  the  pile,  which  reached  nearly  to  the  ceiling ; 
then  they  halt  at  different  corners,  and  eye  each  other  with 
fiendish  glances,  and  the  chase  began  again.  The  crowd  of 
spectators  became  larger  each  moment,  and  the  choicest  mor- 
sels of  advice  were  showered  upon  Nidd  and  his  assailant. 
Again  they  halted,  each  peeping  from  his  corner,  each  intent 
on  doing  his  best,,  and  then  around  they  went  again. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  211 

"  Tear  down  the  boxes  !"  slioiited  a  soldit;r  from  the  fence. 

The  guard  cast  his  eye  upward,  and  iMr.  Nidd  seized  upon 
the  moment  to  make  a  grand  dash  for  lite  and  liberty. 

"  There  he  goes !"  cried  tlie  lookers-on,  and  round  the  cor- 
ner came  the  guard  with  quickened  steps,  and  now  the  chase 
became  more  exciting  than  ever, 

"  Stop,  stop  !"  cried  Mr.  AVontus,  drawing  nearer  ;  but  some- 
body politely  requested  him  to  mind  his  own  business,  and  he 
did  as  he  was  directed,  but  not  without  first  appealing  to  some 
of  the  bystanders  to  save  his  friend's  life,  which  he  considered 
was  in  danger,  on  account  of  the  gleaming  bayonet  and  the 
stalwart  form  behind  it. 

Up  and  down,  in  and  out,  first  dodging  behind  this  tree  and  ^ 
then  that,  went  the  guard  and  Mr.  Nidd,  in  the  narrow  place 
between  the  fence  and  the  veranda  ;  and  to  everybody  save 
the  participants  themselves  the  afi'air  was  most  laughable. 

Mr.  Nidd's  face  was  now  the  color  of  a  well-baked  brick, 
and  the  perspiration  stood  out  on  his  brow  like  huge  beads, 
and  trickled  from  the  end  of  his  nose  as  though  that  impor- 
tant feature  had  suddenly  become  a  miniature  fountain.  On  a 
straight  run  he  was  the  better  man,  because  of  his  long  legs, 
but  at  close  quarters  and  in  dodging  the  guard  was  many  de- 
grees his  superior,  for  many  reasons,  but  principally  for  his 
short  legs.  The  aifair  from  the  commencement  had  occupied 
but  a  few  minutes,  and  now  the  end  was  drawing  near.  Twice 
in  the  last  heat  the  guard  had  thrust  at  Mr.  Nidd,  and  Nidd 
had  escaped  by  the  merest  chance.  It  is  probable  that  he 
would  have  run  out  at  the  gate,  but  every  time  that  he  essayed 
that  movement  his  long  legs  occupied  too  much  time  in  turn- 
ing the  necessary  corners,  and  the  close  proximity  of  the  guard 
forbade  the  undertaking.  But  the  denouement  was  at  hand. 
Nidd  had  thrice  successfully  created  erroneous  ideas  in  the 
mind  of  his  pursuer  by  some  clever  feints  at  the  lower  end  of 
the  inclosure,  and  now  he  sprang  forward  with  huge  strides, 
and  made  directly  for  the  front  yard,  with  the  bayonet  close 
behind  him.  It  was  now  plain  that  he  intended  leaping  the 
fence  at  any  hazard  of  life  or  limb,  and  he  was  encouraged  in 
his  determination  by  Thomas  Thomson,  who,  oblivious  to  all 
surroundings,  was  carrying  on  a  most  astonishing  pantomimic 
performance  intended  to  be  expressive  of  his  desire  to  see  Mr. 
Nidd  safely  through  his  difiiculties. 


212  WOXTUS,  OR 

The  decisive  momeat  was  at  hand.  Gathering  himself  up 
for  the  leap,  he  clinched  his  hands  and  made  the  spring.  His 
toes  touched  the  top  rail,  his  hands  swung  wildly  in  the  air, 
and  his  eyes  wore  a  horrifying  expression ;  his  equipoise  has 
been  disturbed,  and  his  body  slanted  to  the  right ;  he  is  clear ; 
n(j,  the  guard  is  too  close,  and  the  bright  bayonet  flashes  in 
the  sunshine.  An  encouraging  word  escaped  the  lips  of  Mr. 
^Vontus,  and  the  spectators  laughed  gleefully.  He  struggles 
to  clear  his  foot  from  the  rail ;  he  succeeds !  No,  it  is  too 
late,  and  the  glittering  bayonet  is  thrust  forward  like  a  flash, 
and  Mr.  Nidd  tumbles,  not  to  the  ground,  for  the  bayonet  has 
punctured  the  back  part  of  his  trousers,  and  he  is  impaled  on 
^  its  point,  while  the  soldier  makes  a  fulcrum  of  the  fence,  and 
holds  the  gentleman  aloft,  as  an  angler  would  a  fish.  It  was 
all  done  with  the  quickness  of  thought,  and  the  soldier  rested 
l:is  body  on  the  st(X'k  of  his  musket,  while  the  long  arms  and 
longer  legs  of  Mr.  Nidd  dangled  in  the  air,  like  a  huge  spider 
dangling  from  his  web. 

What  hard-heiirted  fellows  these  soldiers  are !  This  Mr. 
Wontus  not  only  thought,  but  said,  as  he  motioned  Wilkins 
to  follow  him,  and  the  two  flew  to  the  rescue.  To  extricate  the 
gentleman  from  his  uncomfortable  position  was  a  work  of  some 
magnitude,  owing  to  the  dogged  indifference  of  the  soldier, 
who  hung  to  his  musket  and  his  victim  with  a  satisfaction  so 
grim  as  to  excite  feelings  of  the  greatest  disgust  in  the  breast 
of  our  hero.  At  last  the  task  was  done,  but  not  until  the 
hands  of  two  or  three  of  the  delicate-looking  gentlemen  who 
were  standing  by  had  lent  their  assistance.  Mr.  Nidd  was 
once  more  upon  his  feet,  while  the  guard  stood  leaning  on  his 
piece,  eyeing  the  rent  in  his  victim's  pantaloons  with  savage 
pleasure. 

It  was  some  minutes  before  Mr.  Xidd  regained  his  compo- 
sure, and  the  moment  he  did  so  he  inspected  his  pantaloons, 
and  then  cast  curses  lung  and  deep  upon  the  head  of  the  soldier, 
who  was  now  at  a  safe  distance,  perambulating  his  beat  as  though 
nothing  had  occurred  to  disturb  the  even  current  of  his  life. 

'•  Most  unfortunate  !"  said  Mr.  Wontus  ;  "  I  hope  you  are 
not  hurt."  And  he  looked  at  his  fellow-member  with  solicitude 
and  sympathy. 

"Hurt!"  cried  Mr.  Nidd,  savagely.  "Hurt!  I  am  hurt, — ■ 
I  am  crushed, — I  shall  die  of  mortification  !    I  shall  leave  here 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATIOX.  213 

on  the  next  boat.  Stay  ?  No,  sir  ;  I  will  not  stay.  Wounded? 
No,  sir,  I  am  not  wounded  !  My  flesh  is  intact,  thank  God,  but 
I  have  had  enough  of  this,  and  enough  is  as  good  as  a  feast!" 

Mr.  Wontus  now  endeavored  to  soothe  the  wounded  spirit 
of  his  friend,  and  cited  his  own  experience  to  prove  that  he 
had  been  deah  with  more  severely  and  witliout  cause.  Misery 
loves  company,  and  the  recollections  of  Mr.  Wontus's  experience, 
together  with  that  gentleman's  sympathetic  manner,  so  palliated 
the  sufferings  of  Mr.  Nidd,  that  he  finally  allowed  himself  to 
be  led  into  the  office  of  the  hotel,  where  an  explanation  of  af- 
fairs was  made  to  the  Officer  of  the  Day  by  IMr.  Wontus,  which 
was  so  entirely  satisfactory  that  the  officer  gave  them  no  further 
trouble.  Everybody  else  appeared  to  take  the  matter  as  an 
every-day  affair,  and  while  Mr.  Nidd  came  in  for  a  fair  share 
of  quizzical  looks,  none  were  so  indelicate  as  to  address  him  on 
the  subject. 

In  those  days,  the  office  of  the  Hygeia  Hotel  was  more  than  an 
office  ;  it  was,  among  other  things,  a  sort  of  grand  entrepot  for 
everything,  from  an  officer's  haversack  to  a  quartermaster's  out- 
fit, as  well  as  a  bed-chamber,  dining-room,  parlor,  and  reading- 
room  ;  and  the  vast  concourse  of  people  who  are  constantly  en 
route  from  or  to  some  one  of  the  scenes  of  military  operations 
made  it  what  it  was.  It  was  a  most  interesting  sight,  to  be 
seated  here  and  watch  the  different  people  who  came  and  went, 
like  the  tide.  Of  course  everything  was  under  the  control  of 
the  military  authorities,  and  but  few  men  were  here  save  those 
who  came  armed  with  that  authority  in  some  way  or  another. 
Birkill  and  his  fellow-recruits  were  not  allowed  to  enter  the 
hotel,  and  Mr.  Thomson  had  walked  with  them  as  far  as  he 
dare  on  their  road  to  Camp  Hamilton.  Soldiers  were  everywhere, 
and  the  clean,  bright  uniform  of  the  garrison  contrasts  strongly 
with  that  of  those  who  come  from  far  over  the  tops  of  the  green 
pine-trees,  to  the  westward. 

But  here  is  a  group  of  men  whose  dress  and  manner  indicate 
that  they  do  not  belong  to  th^  army,  or,  if  they  do,  they  are 
of  a  corps  distinct  from  any  branch  of  the  service  I  have  ever 
seen.  Perhaps  there  are  a  dozen  of  them.  They  appear  to 
be  known  by  everybody,  and  everybody,  from  the  greatest  and 
most  dignified  general  to  the  lowest  private,  has  a  word  with 
them.  There  is  a  spice  of  jollity  and  nonchalance  about  them 
which  IS  charming  to  look  upon  in  these  days  of  military  pre- 


214  WOXTL'S,   OR 

cision,  and  yet  the  lines  of  thouuht  are  so  strongly  marked  on 
each  countenance  as  to  indicate  that  there  is  more  about  them 
than  is  seen  on  the  surface.  Quick  at  repartee,  and  with  a 
pleasant  smile  for  all  who  come  in  contact  with  them,  they 
wander  about  the  grounds  in  a  careless,  listless  manner,  and 
3X't  I  find  that  the  smallest  event  is  noticed.  None  of  them 
are  old  men,  not  even  what  we  call  middle-aged  men,  and  yet 
each  wears  a  sort  of  indescribable  air  about  him,  which  seems 
to  say,  so  far  shalt  thou  go  and  no  farther. 

They  wear  no  uniform.  Each  appears  to  be  clothed  to  suit 
himself,  and  with  an  eye  single  to  comfort  and  convenience. 
Nor  do  they  appear  to  be  engaged  in  any  movement  which 
needs  concert  of  action,  but  each  moves  about  individually, 
except  at  stated  intervals,  and  then  they  come  together  and 
engage  in  whispers  most  mysterious.  It  was  this  fiict  which 
first  caused  31r.  Wontus  to  notice  them  particularly,  and  as 
they  apparently  belonged  to  a  class  that  he  had  never  met  be- 
fore, he  considered  it  his  duty,  as  a  corps  of  observation,  to 
inquire  who  and  what  they  were.  Leaving  Nidd  still  brooding 
over  his  troubles,  seated  on  the  CiUitle  of  a  saddle  which  lay 
on  the  floor,  Mr.  "Wontus  walked  to  the  clerk,  and  asked  : 

"  Who  are  those  gentlemen  ?"  and  as  he  spoke  he  nodded 
his  head  in  the  direction  of  a  group  of  men  who  stood  in  the 
doorway. 

"  The  men  who  make  considerable  of  the  generals  and  other 
great  men,"  said  the  clerk,  with  a  smile. 

"Ah!"  exclaimed  Mr.  Wontus,  a  shade  of  doubt  passing 
over  his  foce.     "  Yes,  but  where  did  they  come  from?" 

Our  hero  did  not  like  to  expose  his  ignorance,  and  ap- 
proached the  matter  delicately. 

"  From  every  quarter.  All  the  cities,  North,  East,  and 
West." 

"  Any  from  New  York  ?"  asked  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  Let  me  see,"  said  the  clerk,  leaning  his  chin  upon  his 
hand  and  gazing  at  the  party.  "  See  those  two  on  the 
right?" 

Mr.  Wontus  nodded. 

"They're  from  New  York.  The  one  just  outside,  from 
Philadelphia  ;  that  little  fellow,  with  specs,  from  Cincinnati ; 
the  others  from  Chicago.  St.  Louis,  and,  in  fact,  from  all  over." 

"Engineers?"  queried  31r.  Wontus,  softly. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  215 

"Engineers?  I  should  think  so!"  The  clerk  laughed, 
and  then  added,  in  a  mysterious  whisper,  "  Bohemians !" 

Now,  3Ir.  Wontus  had  often  heard  of  Bohemians,  and  had 
a  rather  indistinct  idea  that  they  were  gypsies,  or,  more  prob- 
ably, natives  of  Bohemia,  and  ho*  remarked  to  the  clerk  that 
it  was  really  wonderful  that  the  government  would  allow  them 
to  be  at  such  an  important  place,  in  a  military  sense,  as  Fort- 
ress Monroe. 

"  Allow  them  to  be  here  ?"  said  the  clerk,  with  surprise 
manifested  in  his  tone.  "  Why,  sir,  they  are  probably  one  of 
the  most  important,  useful,  and  powerful  elements  in  the 
army.  To  be  sure,  they  often  disclose  the  news  of  an  impor- 
tant movement,  which  may  be  wrong ;  but  I  don't  think  there 
is  one  among  them  who  would  do  so  willfully.  In  fact,  I  know 
them  to  have  been  blamed  many  times  for  disclosures  of  this 
character  when  they  were  as  guiltless  as  you  are,  and  when 
the  very  men  themselves  who  made  the  charges  against  them 
were  the  ones  who  were  really  in  fault  and  to  blame." 

Mr.  Wontus  saii  "Yes,  sir,"  and  stood  like  a  man  be- 
fogged.    The  clerk's  language  was  incomprehensible. 

"  They  are  always  ready,"  continued  the  clerk,  "  to  do  a 
good  turn  for  a  friend,  and  I  often  wonder  at  them  doing  so 
much  for  everybody  and  so  little  for  themselves.  I  have  seen 
men  have  them  work  for  them  day  after  day,  at  work  which 
they  couldn't  do  themselves,  and  then  give  them  a  'thank 
you'  for  pay.  But  they  don't  often  say  anything  about  it  (he 
lowered  his  voice  to  a  whisper),  although  I  know  that  some 
of  'em  don't  get  more  pay  than  will  keep  body  and  soul  to- 
gether. And  then  they  are  blamed  for  about  everything  that 
happens.  Powerful  ?  why,  I'll  tell  you  how  powerful.  Why, 
you  see  people  can  talk  about  their  not  believing  anything 
they  see  in  the  newspapers,  but  everybody  does  believe,  not- 
w^ithstanding.  Well,  suppose  these  men  undertake  to  tell 
half — -just  half — of  what  they  could  tell  if  they  were  so 
minded,  it  wouldn't  take  long  before  they'd  have  the  people 
disgusted  with  about  half  the  gi'eat  men  which  we  hear 
about;  but  they  don't.  Occasionally  they  may  sail  into  a 
fellow  who  has  been  weighed  frequently  and  found  wanting, 
but  that  don't  take  place  often,  considering  how  many  men 
of  that  kind  we  come  across  every  day.  And,  just  now,  look 
at  what  they  are  doing  for  the  government  by  encouraging 


216  wax  TVS,  on 

eulistraents. — you  know  they  could  discourage  them  just  as 
easily, — and  how  much  they  are  doing  for  the  people  by  keep- 
ing them  informed  of  the  whereabouts  and  condition  of  the 
members  of  their  families  who  are  in  the  army.  Brave  ?  as 
brave  as  anybody  else.  They  go  everywhere  that  the  army 
goes,  and  have  a  good  deal  worse  time  of  it  than  many  of  the 
soldiers,  because  they  are  entirely  alone  and  unprovided  for  in 
any  respect.  Thanks?  not  much.  If  they  do  their  best  they 
haVe  simply  done  their  duty,  and  I've  known  men  about  here 
to  speak  in  the  severest  terms  about  them  because  they  spoke 
of  them  in  a  way  that  they  richly  deserved,  but  not  half  as 
bad  as  nine  out  of  every  ten  men  you  meet  would  have  done 
under  the  same  circumstances." 

Mr.  Wontus  had  asked  numerous  questions,  and  listened 
most  eagerly,  but  when  the  clerk  had  concluded  he  knew  as 
little  in  regard  to  who  the  men  were  as  he  did  before. 

"Good  fellows?"  asked  Mr.  Wontus,  by  way  of  starting 
the  conversation  anew.    "  Don't  carry  any  weapons,  do  they?" 

The  clerk  laughed  immoderately.  "  Carry  weapons?"  said 
he.     "  No.     Wiiy,  don't  you  really  know  who  they  are?" 

Mr.  Wontus  assumed  a  dignified  manner,  and  said  that  he 
did  not. 

"  They  are  Bohemians, — reporters,  editors,  correspondents 
for  the  newspapers.     I'll  introduce  you." 

Mr.  Wontus  stood  back  like  a  man  who  had  suddenly 
touched  the  poles  of  a  galvanic  battery,  and  a  mingled  expres- 
sion of  pleasure  and  surprise  came  over  his  flice,  and  he  gazed 
at  the  group  of  young  men  in  the  doorway  with  renewed  inter- 
est. "  And  these  are  the  men  who  do  so  much  of  our  think- 
ing for  us,"  said  he  ;  and  then,  turning  to  the  clerk,  he  assured 
that  gentleman  that  nothing  could  possibly  give  him  more 
pleasure  than  to  be  introduced  to  the  mysterious  fraternity. 
The  clerk  called  some  of  the  gentlemen  by  name,  and,  as  they 
came  up,  introduced  them  to  Mr.  Wontus  by  the  names  of 
the  papers  they  represented,  and,  in  a  moment,  Mr.  Wontus 
found  himself  talking  to  them  as  if  he  had  known  them  all 
his  life. 

The  sun  had  so  fir  traveled  his  path  that  now  his  face  could 
not  be  seen,  still.  ^Ir.  Nidd  sat  like  a  statue  on  the  saddle 
where  he  had  first  seated  himself  Thomas  Thomson  was 
standing  in  the  roadway,  engaged  in  inspecting  the  different 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  217 

objects  of  interest  that  came  within  the  line  of  his  vision. 
And  Benjamin  Wilkins  was  gone,  nobody  knew  wheie. 

It  now  occurred  to  Mr.  Wontus  that  it  was  high  time  tliat 
the  baggage  was  moved  ashore,  and  accommodations  secured 
at  the  hotel.  It  was  impossible  for  Mr.  Wontus  to  siiy  how 
long  he  should  remain  on  the  Point,  and  it  was  only  after  he 
had  signed  his  own  name  and  that  of  his  companions  on  the 
book  that  he  was  informed  by  the  clerk  that  he  was  ^'cry  soriy 
to  say  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  accommodate  them  with 
rooms,  but  he  was  very  glad  to  be  able  to  say  that  he  could 
give  them  meals, — at  least  just  now. 

This  information  was  astonishing.  For  the  first  time  Mr. 
Wontus^  commenced  to  realize  some  of  the  vicissitudes  of  war, 
and  he  immediately  communicated  the  information  he  had  re- 
ceived to  Mr.  Nidd.  I  have  never  noticed  how^  cross  a  bear 
with  a  sore  head  is,  or  can  be,  yet  the  phrase  is  familiar,  and 
I  now  say  that  Mr.  Nidd  was  as  cross  as  a  bear  with  a  sore 
head,  and  was  commensurately  disagreeable.  Nothing  but  an 
immediate  departure  for  home  would  suit  him,  and  Mr.  Wontus 
finally  gave  up  endeavoring  to  persuade  him  to  take  a  philo- 
sophical view  of  his  affair  with  the  guard,  and  started  out  in 
quest  of  Mr.  Wilkins.  It  was  gome  time  before  the  factotum 
could  be  found,  and  when  he  was  found  it  was  on  the  steps  of 
one  of  the  many  small  buildings  which  lined  the  way  from  the 
Fort  to  Camp  Hamilton.  He  was  the  centre  of  a  group  of 
listeners,  whose  eager  manners  and  sparkling  eyes  told  how 
interested  they  were;  but  Mr.  Wontus  calted  him  sharply, 
and  his  story  was  ended  most  unceremoniously. 

Directing  Wilkins  to  secure  the  services  of  Mr.  Thomson, 
and  immediately  have  all  the  corps  effects  brought  to  the 
hotel,  Mr.  Wontus  returned  to  Nidd,  and  found  that  gentleman 
deeply  absorbed  in  relating  to  one  of  the  correspondents  the 
full  particulars  of  his  aflfair  with  the  guard. 

"And  now,"  cried  Mr.  Nidd,  bringing  his  right  fist  down 
into  his  left  hand  with  great  force,  "  I'll  bet  I  can  flog  him ; 
and  I  will  do  it,  if  I  have  a  chance." 

"  Certainly,  certainly,  sir,"  replied  the  correspondent;  "but 
then,  you  see,  it  is  not  the  man's  fault.  It  is  his  officer's 
fault,  and  he  is  the  man  upon  whom  you  should  wreak  your 
vengeance." 

"  Certainly,"  chimed  in  Mr.  Wontus ;  and  Mr.  Nidd,  glad 
K  19 


218  WOXTUS,  OR 

to  secure  any  honorable  way  of  getting  out  of  the  affair,  finally 
agreed  that  his  friends  were  right,  but  avowed,  in  the  strongest 
lawful  language,  that  the  next  time  such  a  thing  occurred  there 
would  be  blood  spilt,  and  it  would  not  be  his. 

Good  counsel  prevailed  in  the  conversation  which  followed, 
and  by  the  time  3Ir.  Wilkins,  with  the  assistance  of  a  score 
or  so  of  "  contrabands,"  had  succeeded  in  getting  the  baggage 
all  ashore  and  conveyed  to  the  neighborhood  of  the  hotel  (I 
lay  some  stress  on  the  word  neighborhood,  because  it  was  im- 
possible to  find  storage  for  it  i/i  the  hotel)  Mr.  Nidd  had  so 
far  forgotten,  or  rather  forgiven,  the  indignity  he  had  suffered 
as  to  insist  on  all  the  gentlemen  with  whom  he  had  had  con- 
versation taking  a  glass  of  whisky  with  him  from  his  private 
flask.  During  this  ceremony  Mr.  Wontus  was  loud  in  his 
complaints  concerning  the  want  of  accommodations  at  the 
Hygeia ;  but  his  trouble  was  laid  aside  for  the  time  by  the 
generous  offer  of  the  New  York  Morning  Glorij^  inviting  him 
to  a  place  in  the  "  Halls  of  the  Literati."  Mr.  Wontus,  with- 
out knowing  what  or  where  this  was,  gladly  accepted  the  offer 
for  himself  and  Nidd,  and  what  followed  the  acceptance  must 
find  a  place  in  another  chapter. 


CHAPTER  XVIIL 

MEETING     OF     THE     INFLATUS — TVONTUS     AND      NIDD     ARE 

INITIATED  AND  BECOME  MEMBERS A  JOLLY  TIME,  WITH 

A    STARTLING   DENOUEMENT. 

If  the  first  floor  of  the  Hygeia  Hotel  was  full,  the  second 
was  crowded.  Not  crowded  in  a  wide  or  general  sense,  but 
crowded  in  that  particular  sense  which  might  be  called  jammed, 
by  those  who  are  not  accustomed  to  the  peculiar  style  of  dove- 
tailing practiced  by  hotel-keepers  in  those  localities  where 
armies  most  do  congregate.  Every  room  in  the  house  was 
full ;  so  were  the  halls,  so  were  the  stairways,  and  so  was  the 
yard. 

I  think  that  I  have  mentioned  before  that  Mr.  Wontus 
was  a  deeply -grateful  man ;  therefore   it  is  not  necessary  for 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  219 

me  to  reiterate  the  fact  here.  He  was  keenly  sensible  to  the 
kindness  of  the  New  York  Morning  Glory,  for  observation 
and  inquiry  had  given  him  to  understand  that,  unless  some- 
body took  him  in,  his  bed  was  likely  to  be  the  pebbly  sands 
of  the  sea-side,  or  perhaps  the  proverbial  soft  side  of  a  plank. 
He  had  no  fears  for  the  other  members  of  the  corps.  Mr. 
Thomson  was  with  Wilkins,  and  he  was  sure  that  Wilkins 
would  provide  himself  with  quarters  without  difficulty,  and 
then  Tommy  would  be  taken  care  of 

Early  in  the  evening  our  hero  had  directed  Wilkins  to 
hand  over  to  the  care  of  the  clerk  one  of  the  largest  demi- 
johns, and  when  the  hour  came  for  retiring,  he  had  fully  ma- 
tured his  plans  and  decided  that  his  new-found  and  very  jolly 
friends  should  have  a  substantial  evidence  of  his  appreciation. 
The  contents  of  the  demijohn  had  been  purchased  for  the  use 
of  the  sick  soldiers,  and  Mr.  Wontus  was  loth  to  part  with 
a  drop  of  it ;  but  he  felt  that  common  courtesy  demanded 
something  at  his  hands,  and  he  sacrificed  a  principle  to  do 
what  he  considered  a  kindness.  With  thoughts  like  these  he 
followed  the  gentlemen  up-stairs,  keeping  the  demijohn  well 
concealed  behind  his  portly  person.  The  company  should 
have  a  surprise  as  well  as  a  treat. 

The  aeriform  fluid  known  as  gas  was  not  among  the  luxu- 
ries of  Old  Point  Comfort.  So  our  friends  and  their  new 
companions  found  their  way  up-stairs  amid  the  refulgency  of 
those  luminaries  called  "dips,"  and  were  in  high  good  humor. 
The  literati  of  the  Point  were  generally  in  a  good  humor,  but 
just  now  the  stirring  events  which  were  transpiring  around 
them  every  day  gave  ample  employment  to  their  minds  and 
pens,  and  they  were  comparatively  happy.  The  hall  of  the 
second  floor  was  reached,  and  all  the  rooms  being  full, — and  by 
that  I  mean  they  were  to  be  full  some  time  during  the  night, 
— it  was  resolved  that  the  regular  meeting  of  the  literati  should 
be  held  in  the  hall. 

"Sit  down,  sir!"  said  the  Morning  Glory,  elevating  his 
candle  above  his  head  that  he  might  be  better  enabled  to  see, 
and  pointing  to  one  of  the  cots  which  were  arranged  along 
one  side  of  the  hall ;  "  sit  down,  gentlemen.  We  are  exceed- 
ingly glad  to  see  you,  but  somewhat  depressed  in  spirits  at 
not  being  able  to  offer  you  more  comfortable  quarters ;  but 
really  this  grand  hotel,  although  accustomed  to  a  great  many 


220  WONTUS,  OR 

things,  is  not  accustomed  to  such  an  influx  of  visitors.  Poor 
quarters  are  better  than  none,  though,  and  you  are  welcome ; 
make  yourselves  at  home.  The  boys  are  not  all  in  yet, — out 
on  the  war-path,  I  suppose, — but  they  will  all  be  in  presently." 
And  the  speaker  went  on  fastening  his  candle  to  the  door 
frame,  while  Mr.  Wontus  and  the  others  seated  themselves  on 
the  cots  and  such  other  furniture  as  could  be  found. 

In  the  dull,  flickering  liiiht  of  two  candles  the  party  pre- 
sented a  picture  at  once  odd  and  singularly  grotesque.  The 
feeble  rays  from  the  candles  but  seemed  to  cast  elongated 
shadows  on  the  walls  and  make  the  dark  background  of  the 
hall  look  thrice  darker  than  it  w^is.  The  solitary  chair  which 
found  a  place  in  the  circle  became  a  spectre  as  it  marked  \\.s 
dull  outline  on  the  floor  beyond,  and  as  Mr.  Wontus  peered 
into  the  darkness  and  then  cast  a  glance  over  the  deeply- 
shadowed  faces  about  him,  he  remarked,  in  an  under-tone,  to 
Mr.  Nidd,  that  he  never  had  seen  anything  so  solemn  in  his 
life,  which  remark  he  recalled  a  moment  afterwards,  and  ex- 
cepted the  guard-house  at  AYashington.  To  this  Mr.  Xidd 
made  no  reply,  but  sat  down  on  a  cot  which  had  been  stretched 
across  the  hall  for  his  accommodation. 

"  Ah,  gentlemen  !"  cried  the  Morning  Glory ^  after  he  had 
succeeded  in  fastening  the  candles  to  his  satistaction  and  was 
about  sitting  down,  "  if  I  mistake  not,  I  have  forgotten  to 
introduce  you  to  my  friends, — your  friends,  friends  of  all  of 

us.     This  is  Mr.  Wompus " 

"  Wontus  !"  interrupted  the  gentleman  introduced  ;  '•  Won- 
tus, sir !  Wontus !" 

"Ah.  yes;  excuse  me,  sir,"  continued  the  gentleman,  in  the 
most  polite  and  affable  manner.     "  Mr.  Wontus." 

The  gentlemen  rose  from  their  seats  and  bowed,  and  all  the 
gentlemen  said  they  were  very  glad  to  see  him. 

"  This  is  Mr.  Diddler,"  cried  the  spokesman,  turning  to 
Mr.   Nidd.     "  Xo  relation  to  the  celebrated  Jeremy.     The 

friend  of " 

"  Nidd !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  again  interrupting  when  he 
heard  his  friend" s  name  subjected  to  such  a  metamorphosis; 
"  Mr.  Nidd  !     Not  Diddler,— Nidd  !" 

"  Ten  thousand  pardons,  sir !  I  really  hope  you  will  ex- 
cuse me.  I  heard  your  name  very  indistinctly  when  intro- 
duced, and  I  assure  you  I  am  very  soriy  that  I  should  have 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  221 

made  such  a  blunder.  You  do  not  look  like  a  man  who  would 
be  the  owner  of  such  a  name.  I  might  have  known  better  by 
a  single  glance.     Mr.  Nidd,  gentlemen  !" 

Mr.  Nidd  was  inclined  to  leave  his  seat  when  he  first  heard 
himself  called  by — what  he  considered — the  horrible  name 
of  Diddler;  but  the  MoDiing  Glory  s  serenity,  together  with 
his  (Nidd's)  want  of  knowledge  as  to  where  he  should  go  in 
case  he  did  leave,  held  him  in  his  place,  and  he  expressed 
himself  as  fully  and  entirely  satisfied  with  the  apology  and 
explanation. 

And  then  the  company  extended  the  same  greeting  to  him 
that  they  had  extended  to  Mr.  Wontus. 

The  Morning  Glory  was  a  man  of  medium  height,  spare, 
wiry  frame,  and  finely-developed  head.  His  complexion  had 
been  light,  but  exposure  had  bronzed  it  so,  that  now,  in  the 
dim  candle-light,  it  was  a  dark  olive.  His  features  were 
regular,  and  his  forehead  was  strongly  marked  at  the  base  by 
a  pair  of  heavy  eyebrows,  which  shaded  and  at  times  almost 
hid  his  sparkling  blue  eyes  from  view.  A  continual  smile 
seemed  to  play  over  his  features ;  yet  each  look  and  gesture 
conveyed  to  the  surface  every  emotion,  either  real  or  assumed, 
which  found  a  place  in  his  heart  or  mind.  He  was  a  ruling 
spirit  among  his  companions,  and  his  presence  was  always  the 
signal  for  a  jolly  time. 

"  Now,  gentlemen,"  cried  this  ruling  spirit,  addressing  him- 
self to  Wontus  and  Nidd,  and  speaking  in  a  deep,  serious 
voice,  which  was  strangely  at  variance  with  the  sparkle  in  his 
eye,  "  we  have  no  strangers  within  the  precincts  of  this  hal- 
lowed circle.  The  halls  of  The  Infiatus — the  name  of  our 
association — are  sacred,  and  none  dare  breathe  the  scented  air 
save  those  wlio  are  bound  by  the  ties  of  membership.  As 
individuals,  we  stand  like  the  planets  in  the  blue  arch  above 
us — alone  ;  as  an  association,  we  are  as  homogeneous  as  granu- 
lated silver;  and  it  therefore  becomes  my  duty,  before  going 
further,  to  introduce  the  members  of  our  association,  to  explain 
certain  rules,  and  to  do  certain  acts,  before  you  can  be  taken 
into  the  full  embrace  of  our  circle,  which — 

Has  made  a  brotherhood  to  tower, 
Erect  aud  high,  a  sovereign  power. 

"As  1  have  already  remarked,  the  precincts  of  The  Inflatus 

19* 


222  WOXTUS,  OR 

are  sacred  ;  therefore  its  scented  air  is  never  profaned  by  the 
mention  of  a  mortal's  name.  Need  I  say  more  than  to  men- 
tion that  those  beautiful,  euphonious  names,  Smith,  Brown, 
and  Jones,  would  dispel  the  most  charming  illusion?  Per 
consequence,  as  all  men  must  be  recognized  in  some  way,  we 
have  ruled  that  the  moment  the  club  commences  its  session, 
each  gentleman  who  is  a  member  of  the  craft  takes  the  name 
of  the  journal  which  he  represents  in  this  most  sanguinary 
field,  and  holds  it  until  he  becomes  the  individual  he  was 
before  he  entered." 

Messi-s.  Wontus  and  Nidd  exchanged  glances.  The  Morn- 
ing Ghjry  proceeded  : 

"  I  am  now  about  to  introduce  you  to  our  good  fellows. 
Let  me  commence  with  myself.  ( Sensation. j  As  you  have 
already  understood,  my  name  is  plain  Thomas  Spadrick  ;  but 
as  I  represent  that  most  powerful  and  influential  (cries  of 
"  Oh  !"  and  '*  Draw  it  mild  !"'  from  the  company)  journal,  the 
New  York  Monung  Glory ^  I  take  that  name,  and  am  known 
by  none  other  while  I  am  here. 

"  The  gentleman  on  your  right."  continued  the  speaker, 
pointing  to  a  gentleman  sitting  by  Mr.  Nidd,  "  is  the  Chicago 
Trumpet  of  Liberty,  an  ephemeral  sheet  of  strong  convictions 
on  both  sides  of  every  question.  The  next  gentleman  is  the 
Philadelphia  Voice  of  Truth,  a  paper  noted  among  its  few 
readers  for  the  falsehoods  with  which  its  columns  teem  day 
after  day,  time  without  end.  The  next  gentleman  is  the  Bos- 
ton Illustrated  Grape  Shot,  a  paper  of  large  paits,  limited  cir- 
culation, but  rather  more  able  than  any  of  the  other  illustrated 
journals,  whose  representatives  are  not  among  us  now.  This 
latter  fact  accounts,  in  a  measure,  for  its  greatness.  His  paper 
is  able,  and  in  it  can  be  found  the  most  heart-rending  cuts ; 
price-.ten  cents.  The  gentleman  who  represents  the  Cincin- 
nati Falcon  sits  here  on  my  left.  He  can  speak  for  himself. 
That  gentleman  there,  he  with  the  green  spectacles  and  min- 
isterial countenance,  is  from  that  diabolical  and  most  infamous 
journal,  the  New  York  Slasher,  a  paper  of  no  importance 
(sensation,  and  cries  of  "  Don't !")  ;  of  limited  circulation  and 
no  influence ;  notorious  only  for  making  a  map  of  the  battle 
of  Bull  Bun  answer  for  all  the  battles  fought  since  that  day 
in  every  quarter  of  the  globe,  each  time  underlined  with  the 
words,  '  Drawn  by  our  special  artist  on  the  spot.'  " 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  223 

"Successful  rival  of  the  Morning  Glory  1'^  cried  the  Grap6 
jShof,  iu  a  stage  whisper. 

The  speaker  proceeded,  without  noticing  the  interruption  : 
"  This  gentleman  is  the  Cleveland  Bantam,  a  paper  of  small 
size,  but  great  liberality  in  point  of  salaries,  and  of  astonishing 
perseverance.  It  employs,  as  you  observe,  only  the  very  best 
talent,  and  was  never  known  to  back  down  from  an  assertion 
once  made.  The  reverse  of  this  is  the  fine-looking  gentleman 
sitting  there,  just  back  of  Mr.  Didd — Nidd.  He  represents,  or 
rather  the  Baltimore  Echo  sent  him  here ;  but  since  he  has 
never  been  known  to  be  fully  aw\ake  except  at  the  meetings  of 
The  Inflatus,  I  doubt  whether  he  represents  anybody  but  him- 
self. However,  I  presume  he  drawls  his  salary,  and  that's  saying 
a  great  deal !"  And  the  gentleman  continued  in  this  strain 
until  all  were  introduced. 

The  smile  which  each  face  had  worn  during  what  I  may  be 
excused  for  calling  the  performance,  now  broke  into  a  roar  of 
laughter  and  applause,  amid  which  the  Mornhig  Glory  took 
his  seat,  and  Mr.  Wontus  brought  forth  his  demijohn  from  be- 
neath the  cot. 

Mr.  Wontus  always  considered  himself  one  of  the  most  un- 
fortunate of  men  in  a  social  point  of  view,  for  while  he  was 
extravagantly  fond  of  fun  of  almost  every  description,  yet,  when 
in  company,  he  found  himself  entirely  incapable  of  contributing 
the  slightest  moiety  to  the  general  fund.  He  often  tried  to 
do  his  share,  but  his  stories  fell  flat  on  the  listeners,  and  when 
he  essayed  to  repeat  w4iat  he  had  enjoyed  himself  and  knew 
that  others  enjoyed,  his  version  was  spiritless,  and  made  every- 
body look  at  him  in  astonishment.  In  short,  experience  had 
taught  him  that  he  was  a  bad  story-teller,  and,  like  other  mea 
have  done,  and  will  continue  to  do,  he  made  his  contribution 
to  the  pleasure  of  the  party  through  the  gastronomic  organs. 
In  other  words,  he  found  men's  hearts  by  way  of  their  mouths. 

I  am  not  positively  certain,  and  therefore  cannot  say  with 
truth,  that  any  of  the  members  of  The  Inflatus  saw  Mr.  Won- 
tus produce  the  demijohn,  which  he  had  so  carefully  placed 
under  the  cot  on  which  he  was  sitting,  and  yet  I  do  not  consider 
it  presumption  on  my  part  when  I  say  I  am  inclined  to  believe, 
taking  the  action  of  the  members  as  my  guide,  that  they  did. 

First,  the  Voice  of  Truth  arose  and  stole  silently  away  into 
the  darkness.     Then,  in  quick  succession,  as  if  by  some  pre- 


224  WOXTCS,  OR 

conc-ertod  arrangement,  mysteriously  followed  the  SlasJicr^  the 
Grape  Shot,  the  Moriiing  Glory,  and  the  Trinnpef  of  Liberty. 
Mr.  Wuutus  and  Mr.  Nidd  looked  at  the  silent  movements  of 
their  new  friends  with  some  astonishment,  but  ere  they  had 
an  opportunity  to  express  their  thoughts  upon  the  subject,  the 
gentlemen  came  flitting  back  again,  and  dropped  into  their 
seats  as  silently  as  they  had  left  them.  The  smile  had  faded 
from  their  fl^ces,  and  a  look  of  grave  drollery  had  taken  ita 
place.  Each  held  something  in  his  hand,  but  in  the  uncertain 
light  of  the  candles  Mr.  Wontus  was  unable  to  determine  what 
it  was,  although  he  believed  it  to  be  a  piece  of  glassware.  For 
a  moment  the  silence  was  only  broken  by  the  deep  roar  of  the 
sea.  The  Voice  of  Truth  after  a  time,  rose  to  his  feet,  and  in 
slow,  measured  tones,  and  with  mock  gravity  in  his  manner, 
addressed  the  company  : 

"  Oh,  sjDeak,  if  voice  thou  hast ! 
Tell  me  what  sacrifice  can  soothe  your  spirits, 
Can  still  the  unquiet  sleepers  of  the  grave, 
For  this  most  horrid  visitation 
Beyond  endurance  of  the  noblest  mind." 

Solemn  voices :  "  The  generous  wine  ;  the  flowing  bowl." 
Mr.  Wontus  looked  alarmed.    His  fingers  nervously  clutched 
the  neck  of  the  demijohn,  and  he  glanced  first  at  the  Morning 
Glory  and  then  at  Nidd.     The  Morning  Glory  had  his  face 
turned  to  the  ceiling,  and  Nidd's  eyes  were  tight  shut. 

"  Let  us  rise  !"  said  the  Bantam.,  in  a  deep,  sepulchral  voice  ; 
and  the  company,  with  the  exception  of  Messrs.  Wontus  and 
Nidd,  rose  to  their  feet.  Mr.  Wontus  looked  more  astonished 
than  ever.  He  was  about  to  ask  an  explanation,  when  he  was 
interrupted  by  the  Grape  Shot  : 

"  Fill  full.     Why,  this  is  as  it  should  be.     Here 
Is  my  true  realm,  amidst  bright  eyes  and  faces." 

Voices :  "  All  hail  the  initiates  !" 

As  they  spoke,  the  members  of  The  Inflatus  assumed  differ- 
ent positions,  mostly  of  a  highly  dramatic  character,  each  ex- 
tending his  hand,  in  which  was  grasped  a  goblet  or  other 
drinking  vessel,  toward  Mr.  Wontus.  The  movement  was 
sudden,  and  was  not  accomplished  without  considerable  confu- 
sion, which  confusion  brought  Mr.  Nidd  to  his  feet,  and  startled 
Mr.  Wontus  into  an  efi'ort  to  extricate  himself  from  the  cots. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  £25 

and  fly.  A  dozen  hands  were  extended  to  prevent  the  con- 
summation of  the  movement,  but  Mr.  Nidd's  long  arms  out- 
reached  the  others,  and  ere  Mr.  Wontus  could  recover  himself 
^^idd  had  seized  the  demijohn  and  was  pouring  its  contents 
into  the  -oblets.  Once  filled,  and  before  Mr.  Wontus  rightly 
comprehended  what  had  been  done,  the  Grape  Shot,  m  a 
clear,  ringing  voice,  sang  a  verse,  commencing — 

"  List !  'twill  be  well  for  thee  ! 

List !  while  I  tell  for  thee 

What  magic  spell  for  thee 

I  have  in  store." 

At  the  conclusion  of  this,  a  chorus  was  sung,  and  the  Morn- 
ing Glory  pronounced  Messrs.  Wontus  and  Nidd  full-fledged 
members  and  fellows  of  The  Inflatus. 

I  do  not  exactly  know  why,  at  this  particular  moment, 
^sop's  Fables  should  come  stealing  before  my  mind's  eye 
like  some  fancy  of  my  childhood,  and  yet  so  it  is.     I  see  now 
the  first  picture,  as  I  saw  it  many  years  ago  in  a  little  book 
which  I  prized  most  highly.     There  are  the  boys,  with  frolic- 
some innocence  depicted  on  their  faces,  playing  at  marbles  m 
the  shady  path,  with  their  kites,  and  bows,  and  arrows  lying 
by.     I  see  a  man,  whose  hair  and  beard  have  been  frosted  by 
the  hand  of  time,  his  tall  and  commanding  form  bending  over 
as  he  watches  the  game  with  keen  interest.     His  forehead, 
high  and  massive,  bespeaks  intellect,  and  his  face  wears  the 
lines  of  deep  study,  yet  his  eye  is  sparkling  and  bright,  and 
tells  me  that  cultivation  has  not  absorbed  the  nutriment  which 
dame  Nature  had  planted  in  the  system.     See !     He  stoops 
and  plays  with  the  lads  as  gayly  as  the  gayest  one  among  them, 
and  their  youthful  happiness  is  rendered  most  complete  by  his 
presence  among  them  in  their  play.     But  another  character 
comes  standing  out  upon  the  picture,  and  I  hate  him  now  as 
I  hated  him  years  ago.    The  new-comer  is  a  man  of  scrupulous 
nicety  in  dress,  and  his  features  are  rigid  and  severe.     He 
gazes  for  a  moment  in  silence  at  the  game,  his  lips  curling  with 
a  lofty  look  of  mingled  pity  and  scorn,  and  then  he  speaks  to 
the  old  man : 

"  I  am  surprised,  sir,  to  see  a  man  of  your  years  and  learn- 
ing, to  be  thus  playing  with  idle  lads  like  these." 

%e  bends  his  haughty  head,  and  the  muscles  of  his  face 
seem  to  fall  into  the  grooves  already  prepared  to  receive  them. 


226  wo  XT  us,  OR 

But  hark  !  The  old  man,  with  a  chilulike  smile  on  his  lips, 
has  taken  up  the  bow  and  arrows,  and  is  speaking. 

"  Sir,"  he  says,  his  voice  low  and  musical,  "  do  you  see  this 
bow  ?  If  it  is  kept  strunc:  and  bent  all  the  time,  it  soon  loses 
its  elasticity,  and  is  rendered  unfit  for  use ;  but  if  you  will 
unstring  it  every  time  you  have  done  using  it,  and  let  it  spring 
back  to  its  natural  shape,  when  you  come  to  use  it  again  it 
will  possess  all  the  elasticity  and  power  of  a  new  bow.  So  it 
is  with  the  human  mind.  Keep  it  strunir  up  and  bent  to 
labor  all  the  time,  and  it  soon  becomes  worthless ;  let  it  do  its 
work  and  then  return  to  the  shape  in  which  He  who  doeth  all 
things  well  created  it,  and  when  it  is  called  on  to  labor  again 
it,  like  the  bow,  is  fresh  and  ready  for  the  task."  The  man  I 
hate  is  silenced. 

But  wh}^  should  this  picture  present  itself  to  me  just  now  ? 
This  question  I  have  asked  myself;  but  the  answer  is  vague 
and  unsatisfactory.  Can  it  be  that  I  have  pennitted  my  mind 
to  wander  among  the  haunts  of  the  money  kings  of  the  world  ; 
among  the  men  whose  very  business  seems  to  dictate  a  solemn, 
or  at  least  a  serious,  cast  of  countenance  and  demeanor  ?  It 
must  be  that,  for  if  not  that,  why  should  it  occur  to  me  that 
the  men  who  are  here  before  me  now  are  the  men  to  whom 
the  future  historian,  and  the  patriot  at  home,  are  now  look- 
ing for  that  information  so  essential  to  their  success  and 
happiness  ?    Pardon  the  digression. 

"  Two  corps !"  cried  Mr.  AVontus,  as  a  goblet  was  handed 
him.  and  Nidd  filled  it.  "  "We  are  now  members  of  two  corps." 
And  with  this,  he  laughed  most  heartily, — not  that  he  was  par- 
ticularly overjoyed  with  the  fact  of  his  being  a  member  of  two 
corps,  but  because  he  felt  that  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  do 
something  to  disabuse  the  minds  of  his  new  friends  of  anvlinaer- 
ing  doubt  as  to  his  courage  and  knowledge  of  men  and  things. 

"  It  now  becomes  my  duty,"  said  the  Falcon,  "  to  announce 
to  you,  as  a  past  officer,  that  you  are  members  of  our  circle, 
with  all  the  rights,  privileges,  and  immunities  thereunto  be- 
longing, and  as  such  we  now  drink  your  good  health,  wishing 
you  every  happiness  and  good  fortune." 

"  Here's  to  our  noble  selves  !  jNIay  our  shadows  never  grow 
less !"  And  with  this  the  company  elevated  their  glasses  and 
drained  them, — Nidd  and  Wontus  joining  in  the  ceremony, — 
and  at  once  proceeded  to  make  themselves  comfortable. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  227 

"It's  a  comfort,"  said  Nidd,  wliispering  to  Mr.  Wontus, 
"  to  fall  among  gciitlcnien  like  these, — smart  fellows  !" 

Mr.  Wontus  nodded,  and  was  about  to  reply,  when  the  voice 
of  the  Morning  Glory  was  heard  above  the  buzz  of  conversa- 
tion: 

"  The  witching  time  of  night,"  said  he,  "  has  come,  when  a 
song  is  in  order." 

Voices.     "  Certainly  ;  a  song !     A  song,  by  all  means  !" 

"  And,  if  I  mistake  not,  brethren  of  the  mysterious  scalp- 
ing-knives,  'tis  the  Trumpet  of  Liberty  s  turn  to  sing." 

"Hi!  hi!  the  Trumpet  of  Liberty  !  the  Trumpet  of  Lib- 
erty I  Let  the  band  play  !"  And  all  eyes  were  at  once  turned 
toward  the  gentleman  whose  turn  it  was  to  sing. 

"  What  shall  I  sing?"  asked  the  gentleman,  getting  on  his 
legs  and  supporting  himself  by  the  door-frame,  his  eyes  wander- 
ing to  the  faces  of  his  companions. 

"I  Dreamt  that  I  Dwelt  in  Marble  Halls,"  shouted  the 
Bantam. 

"  Why  do  Summer  Roses  Fade  ?"  cried  the  Eclio. 

"Give  it  up!"  said  the  Voice  of  Truth,  as  though  a 
conundrum  hacl  been  propounded. 

Then  followed  in  quick  succession  the  titles  of  a  score  of 
other  pieces.  At  last  the  voice  of  the  Morning  Glory  de- 
manded silence.     The  command  being  obeyed,  he  continued : 

"  Brethren  of  the  gory  locks,  if  I  mistake  not,  the  brother 
promised  at  our  last  meeting  to  furnish  the  '  Song  of  The 
Inflatus.'" 

"  Song  of  The  Inflatus  1"  A  babel  of  voices  demanded  the 
song. 

"  I've  not  written  it  yet !"  cried  the  chosen  singer. 

"  No  matter  ;  sing  it !"  commanded  the  chairman.  "  Yes, 
sing  it.  It  must  be  sung,  composed  or  not,"  demanded  the 
company.  And  there  being  no  way  of  escape,  the  singer  ex- 
plained how  necessary  it  was  that  all  should  join  in  the  chorus, 
which  being  fully  understood,  he  commenced : 

THE  SONG  OF   THE  INFLATUS. 

Every  day  when  all  our  work  is  done, 

Good  wine,  we  love  good  wine! 
We  assemble  here  and  have  great  fun, 

Good  wine,  we  love  good  wine! 


228  WOXTUS,  OR 

We  indite  strange  things  and  history  make, 
We  cause  the  globe  to  tremble  and  shake, — 
And  when  we've  done  we're  all  awake. 
And  ready  then  our  thirst  to  slake 
With  good  wine ! 

Chorus. — We  fight  with  lead  and  with  steel, 
Good  wine,  we  love  good  wine! 
And  only  't  beauty's  shrine  we  kneel, 
Good  wine ! 

Unlike  knights  of  old,  as  we  are  told, 

Good  wine,  we  love  good  wine  ! 
We  ask  no  fame  but  to  make  and  mould, 

Good  wine,  we  love  good  wine! 
We  seek  but  little,  but  get  much  less : 
We  ask  good  wine  our  lives  to  bless; 
We  make  much  fame,  that  is,  we  guess, 
For  the  men  who  love  us,  no  more  no  less — 
Than  we  love  good  wine ! 

Chorus. 

When  among  ourselves  we  throw  off  the  mask, 

Good  wine,  we  love  good  wine ! 
Which  society  makes  us  as  a  task, — 

Good  wine,  we  love  good  wine ! 
Wear  to  suit  the  tastes  and  days. 
That  like  others  we  may  have  strange  ways, — 
At  blinding  those  whose  curious  gaze 
Would  fathom  the  depths  of  future  days, — 
And  partake  of  good  wine  ! 

Chorus. 

Good  fellows  we  love  and  will  stand  by. 

Good  wine,  we  love  good  wine ! 
Yes,  we'll  stand  by  them  till  the  sea  runs  dry, 

Good  wine,  we  love  good  wine ! 
Then  join  in  the  chorus  and  make  it  ring. 
For  to  be  merry  and  jolly  will  always  bring 
A  balm  for  every  ache  and  sting 
That  may  fall  to  the  lot  of  this  charmed  ring, 
While  it  sings  of  good  wine  ! 

Chorus. 

As  an  exquisitelj-wroiiglit  frame  will  make  a  picture  appear 
more  beautiful,  so  too  will  the  suiTOundings  of  an  accident 
often  throw  about  the  accident  a  charm,  which,  if  seen  under 
different  circumstances,  would  be  insipid, — perhaps  disgusting. 
"We  take  it,  therefore,  that  the  shouts  of  applause  and  bravos 
which  rent  the  air  at  the  conclusion  of  the  song  of  the 
Trumpet  were  induced  more  by  the  peculiar  circumstances 
under  which  it  was  rendered  than  by  any  noticeable  merit 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  229 

either  in  the  song  itself  or  the  manner  in  which  it  was  sung. 
Yet  it  answered  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  intended,  and 
the  Trumpet  was  congratulated  most  heartily  for  his  happy  hit. 

There  was  a  sort  of  cloudy  understanding  in  Mr.  Wontus's 
mind  that  the  song  was  quite  appropriate  to  the  time  and 
place,  and  he  therefore  insisted  on  the  singer  partaking  of  the 
contents  of  the  demijohn.  This  suggestion  was  acted  upon 
not  only  by  the  singer  himself  but  by  the  w.  S^  company, 
and  Mr.  Wontus  was  highly  complimented  by  fii^  Morning 
Glory ^  speaking  in  behalf  of  The  Inflatus  for  his  forethought 
in  producing,  unasked,  that  which  was  so  highly  necessary  in 
the  initiation  of  a  new  member,  but  which  had  generally  to 
be  sent  for  on  those  occasions,  owing  to  the  want  of  a  common 
degree  of  understanding  on  the  part  of  applicants  for  member- 
ship. It  occurred  to  Mr.  Wontus  that  he  had  never  made 
any  application  ;  but  he  rose  to  his  feet  and  thanked  the  gen- 
tlemen for  their  politeness  and  kindness. 

Now,  for  a  man  to  rise  to  his  feet  in  a  jovial  company  is 
generally  the  signal  for  him  to  be  called  upon  for  something, 
and  in  this  instance  loud  calls  were  made  for  a  song  from 
Wontus.  As  we  already  know,  Mr.  Wontus  was  not  much 
of  a  poetaster,  but  still  less  a  songster ;  and  he  was  at  a  loss 
to  know  what  course  to  pursue,  when  his  attention  was  at- 
tracted to  Mr.  Nidd,  who  was  giving  to  the  Grape  Sliot^  in 
a  loud  voice,  a  sketch  of  a  gentleman  whom,  from  his  descrip- 
tion, Mr.  Wontus  recognized  as  Scribendi.  For  once  in  his 
life  a  happy  thought  struck  our  hero,  and,  in  the  most  glow- 
ing terms  that  he  could  command,  he  referred  to  the  superior 
vocal  qualities  of  his  friend,  and  hoped  the  gentlemen  would 
excuse  him,  and  allow  Mr.  Nidd  to  take  his  place. 

It  is  probable  that  nothing  would  have  persuaded  Mr.  Nidd 
to  sing  had  he  been  familiar  with  the  manner  in  which  he 
had  been  selected ;  but  he  was  not,  for  he  had  been  so  com- 
pletely absorbed  in  his  conversation  that  hearing  his  name 
pronounced  by  a  dozen  voices  in  chorus  was  the  first  intima- 
tion he  had  of  the  matter. 

There  are  two  things  which  I  desire  to  mention  here  :  one 
is,  that  while  Mr.  Nidd  was  generally  very  careful  that  he 
should  not  make  himself  ridiculous  in  any  respect,  yet  there 
were  times  when  he  did  become  a  little  that  way  inclined ;  the 
other  is,  that  I  have  never  heard  the  jay-bird  sing  except  in 

20 


230  WOXTUS,  OR 

the  most  distressing  accents,  and  yet  I  firmly  believe  that  this 
bird  is  Mr.  Nidd's  superior  as  a  songster. 

The  liquor  had  had  its  influence  on  -Mr.  Nidd  as  on  the 
others,  and  those  influences  were  plainly  to  be  seen  the  mo- 
ment he  took  the  floor  and  begged  the  gentlemen  to  excuse 
him  :  he  never  did  sing ;  he  never  knew  a  song  in  his  life. 
His  voice  was  drowned  in  cries  of  "  Nidd  !  Nidd  !  a  song  ! 
a  song  !"  And  seeing  that  nothing  he  could  say  would  excuse 
him,  the  gentleman  cleared  his  voice,  and  commencing  some- 
where near  high  G,  and  gradually  ascending,  sang,  in  a  minor 
key,  the 

SOXG    OF    COLORS. 

I  won't  wear  the  red  any  more,  any  more, — 

I  won't  wear  the  red,  Sally  Jenkins,  0  ! 

I  won't  wear  the  red,  'cause  it's  the  color  of  my  head. 

Chorus. — Buy  me  the  tally-ally-i, 

Buy  me  the  double-row-sariberry-sic-a- 
Jinny-hey-green-gown-tally-i-brown-berry, 
Sally  Jenkins,  0  ! 

I  won't  wear  the  yellow  any  more,  any  more, — 

I  won't  wear  the  yellow,  Sally  Jenkins,  0! 

I  won't  wear  the  yellow,  'cause  it  makes  a  cow  bellow. 

Chorns. — Buy  me  the  tally-ally-i,  etc. 

I  Avon't  wear  the  gray  any  more,  any  more, — 

I  won't  wear  the  gray,  Sally  Jenkins,  0  ! 

I  won't  wear  the  gray,  'cause  it's  the  color  of  the  hay. 

Chorus. — Buy  me  the  tally-ally-i,  etc. 

It  has  been  a  long  while  ago  since  I  saw  on  the  stage  the 
representation  of  a  wandering  minstrel,  who  was  supposed  to 
meander  through  the  country  (the  scene  was  laid  in  England) 
and  perform  in  his  own  peculiar  way  on  the  clarionet ;  and  it 
struck  me  at  the  time  I  witnessed  the  piece  that  the  musical 
talent,  together  with  the  tone  of  the  instrument,  would  make 
the  minstrel  a  most  valuable  auxiliary  to  a  private  lunatic 
asylum.  The  reason  why  I  thought  this  was  because  I  felt 
sure  that  those  who  were  compelled  to  listen  to  the  tones  of 
the  instrument,  if  not  insane  at  the  time,  would  soon  become 
so,  and  those  who  were  suff'ering  under  temporary  fits  of  the 
malady  would  soon  become  incurable.  I  can  only  compare 
Mr.  Nidd's  rendition  of  his  song  to  that  minstrel. 


THE   CORPS   OF  OBSERVATIOX.  231 

To  even  guess  where  the  gentleman  procured  his  song  is 
simply  a  m.itter  which  I  number  among  the  impossibilities. 
It  may  have  been  the  treasured  recollections  of  childhood,  or 
it  m  ly  have  been  anything  else ;  but  whatever  it  was,  it  was 
received  with  uproarious  exclamations  of  delight  by  The  In- 
flatus,  and  the  singer  sat  down  amidst  the  most  impressive 
plaudits.  Just  at  this  juncture  the  other  members,  whom 
the  Morning  Glory  had  referred  to  at  an  earlier  stage  of  the 
proceedings  as  being  on  the  war-path,  made  their  appearance 
in  the  hall,  and  Wontus  and  Nidd  were  introduced.  Now,  on 
the  introduction  of  a  gentleman  or  gentlemen  to  an  assemblage 
such  as  this,  it  is  not,  as  a  general  thing,  proper  to  give  either 
three  or  any  other  number  of  cheers;  but  Mr.  Wontus,  who 
had,  in  common  with  the  rest,  indulged  rather  freely  in  the 
contents  of  the  demijohn,  believed  that  it  was  incumbent 
upon  him  as  a  new  member  to  impress  the  new-comers  with 
the  fact  that  he  had  not  only  been  initiated  but  was  a  member 
in  the  fullest  meaning  of  the  word. 

"  Three  cheers  for  The  Inflatus !"  cried  the  gentleman, 
placing  the  accent  on  the  penultimate  syllable  of  the  noun, 
and  swinging  his  hat  wildly  about  his  head.  The  cheers  were 
given  with  a  will,  the  members  rising  to  their  feet,  and  in  the 
commotion  which  followed,  knocking  the  candles  from  their 
places  on  the  doorway,  and  leaving  the  party  in  darkness. 

"  Three  more  cheers !"  shouted  the  voice  of  Mr.  Wontus, 
apparently  undismayed  by  the  loss  of  the  candles.  But  the 
cheers  were  not  given.  No  ;  there  were  no  cheers,  for  the 
war-path  gentlemen,  and  by  that  I  mean  those  who  had  just 
put  in  an  appearance,  seemed  to  think  that  it  was  highly 
necessary  for  them  to  make  their  presence  manifest  in  some 
way  or  another,  and  from  that  moment  the  atmosphere  of  the 
hall  of  The  Inflatus  was  sadly  changed.  The  meeting  had 
evidently  reached  its  climax  ;  and  so  deeply  had  Mr.  Wontus 
been  impressed  with  the  ceremonies  up  to  this  moment,  that 
he  fmcied  that  that  which  was  now  transpiring  was  but  a  part 
of  the  regular  order  of  business,  and  hence  enjoyed  it  most 
heartily. 

Cots,  which  before  the  lights  were  extinguished  were  stead- 
fast and  sober,  now  reeled  and  tumbled  in  all  directions,  while 
beds  and  bedding,  pillows  and  bolsters,  flew  through  the  dark- 
ness in  such  profusion  as  to  not  only  cff"ectually  prevent  the 


232  WOXTUS,  on 

relighting  of  the  candles,  but  to  make  a  position  on  the  floor 
and  perfect  quietness  the  safest  place  within  the  hall.  All 
this  Mr.  Wontus  devoutly  believed  was  a  part  of  the  ceremo- 
nies, and  ensconcing  himself  in  a  recess  he  patiently  awaited 
the  conclusion.  Others  were  evidently  awaiting  the  end,  for 
divers  doore  were  opened  along  the  hall  and  divers  voices  were 
heard  to  use  proftine  language  and  shower  maledictions  upon 
the  heads  of  all  concerned.  It  so  happened  that  it  was  a 
general  officer's  doorway  that  had  served  as  shelter  for  our 
hero,  and  it  was  by  that  officer  that  he  was  discovered  during 
the  height  of  the  melee. 

"  What  are  you  doing  there,  you  cursed  rascal?"  cried  the 
enraged  officer,  opening  the  door  and  looking  at  the  form  of 
Mr.  Wontus.  whose  outline  could  be  indistinctly  seen  crouch- 
ing against  the  wall. 

"  Sh-h-h  !"  whispered  Wontus. 

"  What  do  you  mean,  sir  ?  I'll  teach  you  to  disturb  people 
in  this  style !" 

"  Hush  !"  whispered  Mr.  Wontus,  soothingly ;  '•  it's  not 
over  yet." 

"  Over  yet !"  screamed  the  enraged  individual.  "  It  uill 
be  over,  and  will  be  over  with  some  of  you,  cui*se  you,  as  soon 
as  I  can  find  my  pistols  !"  And  saying  this  the  form  dis- 
appeared. 

Mr.  Wontus  had  cultivated  an  abiding  faith  in  The  Inflatus 
and  its  members,  and  having  already  seen  a  number  of  strange 
things  in  his  brief  connection  with  the  association,  the  lan- 
g-uage  of  the  enraged  officer  fell  upon  him  like  the  singing  of 
some  harmless  insect. 

3Ir.  Nidd  did  not  consider  it  soldier-like  for  him  to  desert 
the  party,  although  he  felt  like  doing  so  at  the  commence- 
ment of  hostilities,  and  it  would  probably  have  been  well  had 
he  done  so ;  for  not  desiring  to  be  an  active  participant  in  the 
lively  scenes  that  were  transpiring  about  him,  he  was  groping 
his  way  along  the  hall,  on  his  hands  and  knees,  at  the  very 
moment  that  the  enraged  and  savage  gentleman  who  had  gone 
for  his  pistols  was  making  his  way  to  the  door.  Now  the  light 
which  came  from  the  candle  in  the  back  part  of  the  officer's 
room,  and  thence  found  its  way  through  the  open  door  to  the 
hall,  was  no  sooner  descried  by  Nidd  than  that  gentleman 
turned  his  course  in  that  direction,  with  a  full  determination 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  233 

to  seek  the  hospitality  of  tlie  owner  of  the  room,  and  there 
await  the  end  of  the  exercises.  Holding  his  head  well  down, 
that  he  might  shield  his  face  from  the  missiles  that  were  now 
flying  through  the  air  in  all  directions,  Mr.  Nidd  did  not  notice 
either  the  form  of  Mr.  Wontus  or  the  enraged  officer,  who, 
in  shirt  and  drawers,  with  his  pistols  in  hand,  was  just  mak- 
ing a  rapid  advance  to  the  entrance  of  his  room.  The  sill  of 
the  door  was  reached;  Mr.  Wontus' s  form  had  been  avoided, 
and  Nidd  was  just  about  congratulating  himself  on  his  superior 
good  fortune,  when  one  of  those  accidents  occurred  which  so 
frequently  turn  our  most  pleasant  anticipations  to  the  bitterest 
disappointment.  The  whole  affair  had  occupied  but  a  few 
moments,  yet,  short  as  it  was,  there  w^as  ample  time  for  enough 
to  happen  to  make  the  condition  of  affairs  most  terrible. 
Looking  toward  the  darkness,  the  officer  could  not  see  Mr. 
Nidd,  and  Mr.  Nidd  did  not  see  the  officer  because  he  was  not 
looking  for  him,  and  thus  it  occurred  that  just  as  Nidd  was 
about  assuming  an  upright  position  the  officer  reached  the 
same  spot,  and  in  a  moment  had  first  trod  on  Nidd's  hand 
and  then  went  tumbling  on  him  and  prostrating  Nidd  at  full 
length  on  the  floor,  amid  the  most  startling  vociferation  from 
both  parties. 

The  voices  were  strange  to  each  other,  and  it  was  this  ftict, 
together  with  the  hurt  to  his  hand,  that  induced  Mr.  Nidd  to 
allow  his  pugnacity  to  rise,  and  to  clinch  with  his  antagonist. 
AVhat  followed  this  cannot  be  more  accurately  described  than 
to  say  that  there  was  a  severe  struggle,  and  that  during  the 
struggle  between  the  enraged  officer  and  Nidd,  pistol-shots 
were  fired,  and  most  alarming  shouts  rang  out  from  the  throat 
of  Mr.  Wontus  and  others.  The  light  in  the  officer's  room 
suddenly  went  out,  and  confusion  was  now  confounded.  Those 
of  the  guests  wdio  were  annoyed  before  were  now  horribly 
alarmed  ;  and  the  occupants  of  the  different  rooms  rushed  out 
into  the  hall,  and  as  is  customary,  everybody  asked  everybody 
else  what  was  the  matter  without  anybody  being  able  to  tell. 

"What's  the  matter?'  cried  3Ir.  Galumpus,  the  landlord, 
coming  upon  the  scene  in  his  drawers,  with  a  light  in  his 
hand,  flanked  by  a  numerous  corps  of  servants.  Light  settles 
a  great  many  perplexing  things  in  the  world,  and  on  this  occa- 
sion it  no  sooner  made  its  appearance  on  the  scene  than  a 
meeker,  milder,  and  more  innocent-looking  set  of  gentlemen 

20^^ 


234  WOXTUS,  OR 

did  not  exist  than  the  members  of  The  Inflatus,  and  Gahimpus 
received  no  answer  to  his  query.  A  brief  council  between  the 
landlord  and  some  of  the  «riic'Sts  was  now  held,  and  it  was 
resolved  to  advance  en  masse  to  the  scene  of  conflict  in  room 
Xo.  — .  First  came  boniface  with  his  lamp  elevated  above  his 
head,  and  then  followed  a  line  of  servants,  the  membei-s  of  The 
Inflatus  and  the  guests  making  up  the  main  bod}'  and  bring- 
ing up  the  rear.  Stealthily  and  cautiously  the  force  advanced 
until  it  reached  the  doorway,  where  it  found  3Ir.  AVontus  flat 
on  his  face  and  partially  concealed  by  a  cot.  which  he  had  evi- 
dently endeavored  to  crawl  beneath,  but  failed  to  achieve  suc- 
cess owing  to  his  alderman ic  proportions  ;  and  here  the  party 
halted  until  the  Grape  Shot  came  forward  and  generously 
assisted  the  gentleman  to  his  feet,  and  without  further  ceremony 
escorted  him  to  the  rear  of  the  hall. 

The  noise  and  confusion  in  the  officer's  room  had  ceased,  and 
nothing  could  now  be  heard  but  low  groans  and  suppressed, 
long-drawn  breaths.  Which  one  of  the  participants  was  dead? 
"Who  had  been  shot  ?  These  thoughts,  with  visions  of  pools 
and  ninning  streams  of  blood,  ran  through  the  minds  of  the 
company,  and  the  landlord  elevated  his  light  still  higher,  and 
looked  in.  The  room  was  in  a  condition  of  confusion,  but  no 
blood  met  his  eye.  He  advanced  still  farther,  and  at  length 
stood  inside  of  the  room.  The  suppressed  breathing  could 
still  be  heard  ;  but  where  were  the  combatants  ?  No  living 
being  could  be  seen  except  those  who  had  entered  with  the 
light.  Of  course  everybody  was  in  a  quandary.  Could  the 
battle  have  been  like  that  between  the  Kilkenny  cats,  where 
each  participant  is  said  to  have  swallowed  his  adversary,  or 
had  the  gentlemen  thrown  each  other  out  of  the  window  ? 

"  Let  us  look  around,*'  cried  the  Bantam,  advancing  to  the 
front  line,  and  at  once  a  search  was  instituted,  which  resulted 
in  the  enraged  officer  being  dragged  from  the  recess  of  a 
closet,  and  Mr.  Xidd  being  fished  from  under  the  bed.  The 
assembled  company  had  now  found  its  way  into  the  room,  and 
anxious  inquiries  were  made  by  the  friends  of  each  as  to  the 
exact  amount  of  damage  sustained  by  the  participants.  It  was 
found  that  neither  gentleman  had  suffered  any  considerable 
injury,  although  both  were  well-nigh  exhausted.  As  the 
gentlemen  stood  thus  in  the  candle-light.  Xidd  glared  at  his 
adversary,  and  his  adversary  returned  the  look  with  compound 


THE   CORPS   OF   OnSEErATION.  235 

interest,  and  the  scene  was  only  brought  to  a  conclusion  by 
the  first  named  suddenly  rushing  through  the  crowd  and  out 
of  the  house. 

The  officer  soon  after  peremptorily  ordered  everybody  from 
the  room,  and  then  it  was  that  search  was  instituted  for  the 
person  of  Mr.  Nidd.  That  individual  was  nowhere  to  be 
found,  however,  and  where  he  spent  the  balance  of^  that  most 
eventful  night  is  a  mystery,  which  even  Mr.  Wontus  has 
never  dared  to  undertake  to  solve. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


THE  CORPS  TAKES  PASSAGE  FOR  THE  FRONT — THOMAS 
THOMSON  MAKES  STARTLING  DISCLOSURES,  AND  WILKINS 
IS  DECLARED  A  CHAMPION. 

No  boat  left  for  the  North  on  the  morning  following  the 
initiation  of  Messrs.  Wontus  and  Nidd  into  the  mystic  circle 
of  The  Inflatus,  and  that  alone  prevented  Nidd  from  immedi- 
ately leaving  for  home.  The  terrible  experiences  of  the  day 
and  evening-  before  had  left  him  without  bodily  injury,  but  his 
feelings  had  been  so  deeply  wounded  that  it  was  found  utterly 
impossible  to  soothe  him.  The  wounds  were  deep,  but  their 
very  depth  seemed  to  steel  his  nature  against  every  influence. 
He  was  desperate.  He  had  spent  the  night  no  one  knew 
where,  and  he  was  proof  against  all  inquiries.  In  his  remarks 
he  was  severe  and  caustic,"and  while  his  face  was  unexprcssive 
of  anything  except  determination,  yet  the  short,  hysterical 
bursts  of  laughter  which  occasionally  came  from  his  lips  when 
the  proceedings  of  the  night  before  were  referred  to,  told  of 
the  bitterness  within. 

A  guest  at  the  Hygeia,  in  those  days,  might  make  his  break- 
fast on  the  flattest  and  toughest  of  cakes,  or  his  dinner  on  the 
roundest  of  potatoes  or  dumplings ;  yet,  if  he  secured  enough 
to  eat,  and  thereby  satisfied  the  cravings  of  the  moment,  his 
meal  was  always  a  '^  square"  one.  Quantity,  rather  tlu.n 
quality,  was  the  great  desideratum,  and  it  was  no  unccmmcn 
thing  for  a  man  to  boast  of  his  having  made  a  good  square 


23G  WOXTUS,  OR 

meal  on  "  tacks."  By  this  he  would  not  mean  that  he  feasted 
on  a  pound  or  so  of  tho.se  flat-headed,  sharp-pointed  little 
pieces  of  ironuionuery  which  we  occasionally  find  in  most  in- 
convenient places  in  our  chambers.  No,  he  meant  a  far  dif- 
ferent thing,  and  Mr.  Wontus  was  delighted  when  he  devel- 
oped the  fact  that  "  tacks"  were  in  reality  not  tacks  at  all,  but 
were  a  sort  of  bread  or  unleavened  cracker,  which  had  been 
invented  by  some  diabolically-inclined  individual — who  must 
have  been  a  dentist — for  the  special  amusement  of  the  men 
who  enlisted  in  the  army. 

By  times  the  corps  iissembled,  Mr.  Wilkins  and  Mr.  Thom- 
son looking  as  though  their  slumbers  might  have  been  a  little 
ruffled  or  disturbed  ;  Mr.  Nidd  as  before  described,  and  3Ir. 
AVontus  flushed  and  nervous,  but  pacific.  By  dint  of  perse- 
verance, and  through  the  assistance  of  the  Morning  Glory 
and  others  of  The  Inflatus,  the  corps  was  enabled  to  secure  a 
seat  at  the  seventh  table,  and  partake  of  flapjacks  and  coffee. 
During  the  meal  reference  was  made  to  the  scenes  of  the  night 
before,  which  references,  though  vague,  were  nevertheless 
noticed  by  Mr.  Wilkins,  and  some  inquiries  made,  which, 
however,  were  Cjuickly  silenced  and  disposed  of  by  th«  re- 
proachful and  warning  frowns  of  Mr.  Wontus. 

''  A  boat  leaves  here  for  somewhere  this  morning,  does  it 
not?"  queried  Mr.  Nidd  of  the  Grape  Shot,  as  he  was  about 
leaving  the  table. 

"Let  me  see,"  said  the  gentleman  addressed.  "Yes,  I 
think  the  Veteran  leaves  for  the  front  at  eleven  o'clock." 

There  was  silence  for  a  few  moments,  Mr.  Wontus  consult- 
ing his  watch  in  the  mean  time. 

"  We'll  go  in  that  boat,"  he  remarked,  with  determination. 

Mr.  Wontus  made  a  reply,  but  what  it  was  could  not  be 
determined  on  account  of  the  conversation  which  sprang  up 
among  the  members  of  The  Inflatus  concerning  the  terrible 
sc-anes,  the  privations  and  dangers,  which  a  man  threw  himself 
into  when  he  persisted  in  going  to  the  front  at  this  particular 
time.  The  Bantam  was  especially  horrifying  in  his  descrip- 
tion of  affairs  as  they  existed  at  Yorktown,  and  went  so  far  as 
to  declare  that  he  had  seen  with  his  own  eyes  dead  men  piled 
up  along  the  roadside  like  cordwood.  Other  accounts,  as  to 
how  strangers  were  treated  by  the  army,  were  given  by  differ- 
ent gentlemen,  most  of  which  were  calculated  to  cause  a  man 


THE  CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  237 

to  deliberate  some  before  he  ventured  among  the  scenes  de- 
scribed. But  if  i]\Q  stories  were  intended  to  influence  Mr. 
Nidd  and  cause  him  to  abandon  his  determination,  they  fell 
wide  of  their  mark.  He  listened,  but  his  eye  never  quivered, 
nor  did  liis  face  indicate  the  slightest  change  in  the  character 
of  his  feelings,  and  he  left  the  room  with"  his  usual  dignity. 
He  was  soon  followed  by  the  others,  and  after  seeking  the 
privacy  of  the  bridge  crossing  the  moat  in  the  shade  of  the 
walls  of  the  fort,  a  sort  of  council  of  war  was  held,  during 
which  the  question  of  leaving  for  the  front  at  eleven  o'clock 
was  discussed. 

Mr.  Nidd  was  not  only  positive  as  to  the  duty  of  the  corps' 
leaving  for  the  front  immediately,  but  he  swore  roundly  that, 
whether  the  others  departed  or  not,  he  certainly  would.  Mr. 
Wontus  was  rather  undecided.  Mr.  Thomson  opposed  the  move- 
ment in  the  strongest  terms,  and  Mr.  Wilkins,  while  he  was  in- 
clined to  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Nidd,  nevertheless  feared  so  much 
for  the  welfare  of  Mr.  Wontus  that  he  was  inclined  to  think 
INIr.  Wontus's  plan  the  best.  He  backed  his  opinion  with 
pieces  of  his  own  experience  in  the  many  campaigns  throutih 
which  he  had  passed.  But  what  he  said  had  no  "other  influ- 
ence than  to  induce  Mr.  Nidd  to  refer  in  glowing  terms  to 
their  magnificent  and  ample  outfit,  by  the  aid  of  which  he 
was  sure  everybody  could  be  made  as  comfortable  as  at  home. 
The  argument  was  unanswerable,  and  it  was  then  and  there 
settled  that  the  party  should  depart  at  eleven  o'clock,  to  take 
its  place  in  the  midst  of  the  active  operations  in  the  field,  in 
its  legitimate  character  as  a  corps  of  observation. 
_  Some  days  before  the  departure  of  the  corps  from  the  pre- 
cincts of  Fortress  Monroe,  some  fifty  thousand  men  and  nearly 
one  hundred  field  guns  had  left  the  same  locality  and  marched 
up  the  Peninsula.  This  Mr.  Wontus  knew ;  this  the  whole 
country  knew;  and  both  the  country  and  Mr.  Wontus  were 
correspondingly  happy  over  the  proposed  immediate  engulf- 
ing of  the  sundry  opposing  forces,  which  had  been  rendering 
the  government  and  the  people  uneasy  and  unsettled  for  the 
past  year.  It  was  just  such  an  idea  as  this  that  came  into 
iMr.  Wontus's  head  as  he  lent  a  hand  in  shipping  the  camp  and 
garrison  equipage  of  the  corps  on  the  steamer  Vetei^an  at  the 
hour  of  eleven.  The  captain  of  the  boat,  as  well  as  the  pro- 
vost-marshal,  had   questioned    Mr.  Wilkins   concerning'   the 


238  WOXTCS,  OR 

r<Uher  extra  amount  of  bagprapre  claimed  by  the  corps,  but  Mr. 
AVilkins  so  pathetically  pictured  the  sufferings  of  the  sick  and 
wounded,  and  so  minutely  described  the  many  incidents  in 
which  such  things  were  useful,  that  he  led  them  to  believe 
that  the  party  was  a  sort  of  private  sanitary  commission,  and, 
with  that  undei-standing,  the  baggage  was  penuitted  to  pass 
without  further  questioning. 

The  parting  between  Mr.  Wontus  and  the  members  of  The 
Inflatus  was  mast  affecting;  but  with  Nidd  a  sigh  of  relief 
escaped  him  as  the  machinery  commenced  to  move  and  the 
boat  swung  off  from  the  pier.  Of  course,  it  cannot  be  exactly 
known  whether  Mr.  Nidd  allowed  the  sigh  of  relief  to  escape 
him  on  account  of  his  not  having  either  heard  from  or  seen 
his  advei-sary  of  the  night's  adventure  in  the  halls  of  The  In- 
flatus, or  for  some  other  cause.  At  any  rate,  he  disajipeared 
in  the  cabin  the  moment  he  saw  the  boat  fairly  started, 
and,  despite  the  persuasive  influences  of  Mr.  Wontus,  he 
remained  there  in  a  condition  of  solitude  and  consequent 
quiet. 

Wontus  and  the  others  stood  on  the  deck  and  waved  their 
handkerchiefs  at  the  walls  of  the  fort  until  the  Veteran  rounded 
the  point  and  passed  the  huge  piece  of  ordnance,  whose  muzzle 
looked  to  him  like  the  opening  of  a  cavern.  A  shade  c:ime 
over  ]\Ir.  Wontus's  face  as  he  stood  there,  his  eyes  wandering 
from  point  to  }x>int  and  from  form  to  form,  which  gradunlly 
faded  away  in  the  distance.  His  features  lengthened,  and  he 
grasped  a  friendly  stanchion  for  support.  He  believed  that 
he  had  considered  every  phase  and  consequence  of  his  journey 
before  starting,  but  now  that  he  was  on  the  direct  road  to  the 
scene  of  active  hostilities,  with  nothing  between  him  and 
death  but  the  frail  craft  which  rocked  and  trembled  beneath 
him,  his  thoughts  were  carried  back  to  his  cosy  little  parlor 
at  Mr.  Diddler's,  and  all  that  was  needed  was  a  kind  word  to 
cause  the  teai-s  of  sadness  which  came  struggling  up  to  the 
surface  from  bubbling  over.  Had  this  occurred  there  would 
have  been  relief,  but  it  did  not.  Neither  Mr.  Thomson  nor 
Wilkins  were  concerning  themselves  about  their  master,  and 
the  tears  were  forced  back  into  the  heart,  there  to  linger  and 
evaporate  at  leisure.  He  was  sad ;  and  yet  what  was  there  in 
the  world  that  he  should  care  for,  or  would  care  for  him  ? 
"What  business  have  I  here?"  he  asked  himself;  and  then 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  239 

anr^wcrcd  the  question  by  saying,  "  None  at  all.  Suppose  by 
any  untbrcsoen  accident  I  should  be  killed,  who  is  there  to 
shjil  a  tear  over  my  grave  ?  Nobody  !  And  if  I  was  killed, 
the  verdict  would  be,  '  Served  hiin  right :  he  had  no  business 
to  be  there.'  " 

As  he  thus  soliloquized,  he  looked  around  at  Thomas 
Thomson,  and  wondered  if  that  individual  ever  had  such 
thoughts  as  he  had. 

Oblivious  to  all  this,  Thomas  Thomson  sat  contentedly  on 
the  top  of  a  pile  of  freight,  and  listlessly  watched  the  loons 
as  they  went  winging  their  way  along  the  surface  of  the  water, 
in  their  frantic  efforts  to  clear  themselves  from  the  vicinity  of 
the  noisy  paddle-wheels  of  the  vessel. 

''  Come  here,  Thomas,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  after  a  time, 
dropping  into  a  chair. 

Tommy  obeyed,  and  took  a  seat  by  the  side  of  his  master, 
while  Benjamin  Wilkins  made  his  way  to  the  pilot-house,  for 
the  purpose,  he  remarked,  of  seeing  that  things  went  right  in 
the  navigation  of  the  vessel. 

Left  alone  with  Thomas,  Mr.  Wontus  at  once  opened  the 
conversation. 

"  We  are  getting  there  fast,"  he  remarked,  turning  his  eyes 
toward  the  shore. 

Thomas  did  not  appear  to  have 'a  very  distinct  idea  as  to 
what  Mr.  Wontus  meant;  therefore  he  merely  answered, 
"  Yes,  sir."     And  for  a  time  there  was  silence. 

"  Thomas,  you  are  seeing  a  great  deal  of  the  world,"  said 
]Mr.  Wontus,  as  though  he  was  giving  utterance  to  the  thoughts 
which  had  been  passing  through  his  head ;  "  you  are  seeing 
a  great  deal  of  the  world." 

"  Resume  I  am,  sir." 

"  I  often  wonder,  Tommy,  if  you  ever  had  a  care, — if  there 
is  anything  in  your  philosophy  which  at  any  time  weighs  on 
your  spirits,  and  brings  them  down  to  that  zero  of  thought 
which  freezes  the  warm  blood,  and  makes  one  almost  wish 
that  they  had  never  been." 

Mr.  Wontus  waited  for  a  reply;  but  Tommy's  head  was 
turned  away,  and  he  looked  troubled. 

"  Do  you  know  what  philosophy  is  ?"  continued  Mr.  Wontus, 
after  a  time,  tapping  his  man's  shoulder  in  a  gentle,  friendly 
way.     "  Do  you  know  it?" 


240  WOXTVS,  OR 

^^It  /"  cried  Mr.  Thomson,  suddenly  turning  to  his  master, 
and  speaking  with  visible  agitiitiou  ;  "  it's  a  site  /" 

It  was  now  Mr.  AVontus's  turn  to  be  surprised.  "Why, 
Tommy,  my  boy,  what  do  you  mean  ?" 

''  Mean,  mean  !"  cried  Thomas,  as  though  his  pent-up  feel- 
ings were  about  to  burst  forth  against  his  will;  "  I  have  never 
said  nothin'  about  it,  sir,  but  she's  allers  been  in  my  head." 

It  was  cool,  and  a  fine  breeze  blowing  from  off  the  land, 
but  Tommy  nevertheless  found  it  necessary  to  make  use  of  his 
handkerchief,  and  Mr.  Wontus  was  fairly  amazed  at  the  new 
and  unexpected  turn  of  affairs. 

"  1*11  tell  you,  sir,"  said  Tommy,  recovering  himself,  and 
looking  down  at  the  deck.  "  I  ought  to  of  told  you  much 
afore  this,  but  since  you've  guessed  mor'n  half,  why,  I'll  jist 
tell  you  the  rest." 

"  You're  a  fool!"  cried  Mr.  Wontus.  He  was  forgetting 
his  own  reflections. 

"  Yes,  sir,  an'  I'll  tell  you  jist  how  it  come  about."  Mr. 
Thomson  spoke  with  considerable  vehemence.  "  You  see, 
Phillis — she  had  a  red  head,  but  she  was  one  of  the  peartist 
gals  anyways  round  our  neighborhood.  Eveiy  mornin'  when 
1  Wcis  a-blackin'  yer  boots  out  in  the  yard,  Phil  used  for  to 
come  a-peepin'  over  the  fence, — it's  morn  a  year  ago  since  she 
first  commenced  it, — an'  would  holler  boots  an'  make  faces  at 
me.  At  first  I  didn't  took  no  notice  onto  her,  but  one  day  I 
told  her  I'd  fling  a  brush  at  her  if  she  didn't  clear  about  her 
business,  an'  then  she  hollered  boots  an'  made  faces  woi-se 
nor  ever.  I  can't  say  I  was  mad,  but  next  mornin'  when  she 
come  agin  an'  commenced  her  foolin',  I  jist  heaved  the  shinin' 
brush  at  her,  an'  the  darn  thing  went  over  the  fence  into  the 
yard  where  she  was  a  livin'." 

Mr.  Wontus  was  all  attention,  and  wheeled  his  chair  around 
to  have  a  better  view  of  the  villain  who  would  shy  a  blacking 
brush  at  a  young  lady,  but  as  yet  he  was  unable  to  compre- 
hend what  the  man  was  getting  at. 

"  i\.ssoon  as  I  chucked  the  brush,"  continued  Tommy,  play- 
ing nervously  with  the  corners  of  his  handkerchief,  "  I  was 
sorry,  'cause  the  boots  was  blacked  but  wasn't  sliined,  an'  I 
went  an'  I  peeped  through  a  crack  in  the  fence,  an'  there 
was  the  brush  a-layin'  in  the  yard,  an'  there  wasn't  a 
soul  about  anywheres,  so  I  jist  jumped  over  the  fence,  au' 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  241 

was  a-comin'  right  back  agin'  without  disturbiii'  notliin',  when 
some  man  come  out  of  tlie  liouse  an'  grabbed  me.  lie  said 
I  was  a  thief,  an'  was  just  agoin'  to  give  me  to  the  polices, 
M'lien  the  gal  as  which  I  had  shied  the  brush  at  come  to  us 
an'  swore  that  she  was  all  of  the  fault  of  it,  an'  that  'air  made 
the  man  stop  touchin'  of  me  an'  tell  me  for  to  go  about  my 
business,  an'  I  got  over  the  fence  agin  an'  went  on  a-blackin' 
the  boots." 

"  Well,  what  then  ?''  asked  Mr.  Wontus,  interestedly,  as 
Tommy  ceased  speaking  and  commenced  twining  his  handker- 
chief into  a  small,  hard  knot.  "  What  then?'  repeated  Mr. 
W'outus. 

"  Well,  sir,"  continued  the  speaker,  hesitatingly,  "  me  an' 
her  used  for  to  talk  every  mornin'  after  that.  Sometimes, 
when  she  wasn't  there,  I  used  for  to  wait  for  her,  an'  some- 
times, wdien  I  wasn't  there,  she  used  for  to  wait  for  me ;  an' 
evenin's  when  you  didn't  want  me.  an'  she  hadn't  nothin'  to 
do,  I  used  for  to  go  round  to  Third  x\ venue,  an'  she'd  be 
a-comin'  from  the  store  or  somewhere  (Mr.  Wontus  sighed),  an* 
we'd  meet  an'  have  a  little  chat.  I  couldn't  get  it  out  of  my 
head  how  she  tooket  all  the  blame  on  to  her  ownself  when  I 
was  in  her  boss's  yard,  an'  every  time  I  come  neerd  her  I  felt 
closer  an'  closer ;  but  I  never  felted  as  how  she  was  so  clost 
to  me  as  since  we've  been  away  from  New  York  on  this  here 
corps  of  observation." 

Here  the  speaker  fairly  broke  down.  Big  tears  came  into 
his  eyes,  and  as  he  wiped  them  away  with  the  sleeves  of  his 
coat,  he  looked  so  beseechingly  into  Mr.  Wontus's  face  that  it 
w^as  with  difficulty  that  that  gentleman  refrained  from  shedding 
tears  himself. 

Both  master  and  man  sat  for  a  time  in  silence,  but  Mr. 
Wontus  soon  found  his  tongue,  because  he  believed  it  necessary 
for  him  to  show  Mr.  Thomson  that  such  conduct  could  not 
be  repeated  vrith  impunity. 

"  Well,  sir,"  said  he,  "  who  was  this  young  woman  ?  Tell 
me  her  name,  I  command  you,  that  I  may  write  to  her  parents 
and  acquaint  them  with  her  unladylike  conduct." 

"She  ain't  got  no  parents,  sir,"  interrupted  Tommy. 

"  No  matter,  sir,"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  assuming  a  manner 
which  he  certainly  did  not  feel ;  "  what  was  or  is  her  name  ?" 

"  Phillis,"  said  Mr.  Thomson,  meekly. 
L  21 


g42  WOXTUS,  OR 

"  Her  other  name?" 

"Offley." 

"Phillis  Offley,  then,  is  her  name,  is  it?'  demanded  Mr. 
Wontus. 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  Phillis  Offley." 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  ha  !"  laughed  Mr.  Wontus,  it  just  now  occurring 
to  him  how  he  had  come  to  unearth  this  most  inmost  secret 
of  his  sen'ant's  heart ;  and  he  smacked  his  knees  with  his 
liands  and  laughed  until  his  face  was  as  red  as  Mr.  Thomas's 
handkerchief.  ''  Ha  !  ha  !  ha  !  This  is  too  good, — too  rich. 
Where  is  Nidd  ?  Where  is  somebody  that  can  enjoy  this  with 
me  ?"  And  he  turned  round  in  his  chair  and  looked  about ; 
but  they  were  alone,  and  he  continued  to  laugh  most  heartily, 
while  Thomas  Thomson  looked  on  demurely,  not  knowing 
whether  it  was  becoming  in  him  to  laugh  or  cry. 

-'  Tommy.  Tommy,  my  boy,  you  did  very  wrong."  And 
here  Mr.  Wontus  laughed  more  than  ever.  "  Yet  it  was  all 
wrong  to  keep  such  things  from  me ;  but  then  I  knew  nothing 
of  the  matter,  and  it  would  have  done  no  particular  harm — 
since  we  are  away  from  there — if  I  had  never  found  it  out. 
But  I  did  not  ask  you  anything  about  that.  I  asked  you  if 
there  was  anything  in  jouy  philosophy, — not  Phillis  Offley.' - 
And  here  the  gentleman  went  into  another  fit  of  laughing, 
while  Thomas  commenced  undoing  the  complicated  knots  in 
his  handkerchief,  his  flice  wearing  an  expression  of  indecision. 

A  full  and  complete  explanation  from  Wontus,  together  with 
sundry  hints  of  a  pleasant  nature,  soon  put  Thomas  Thomson 
in  a  more  comfortable  mood,  and  the  elder  having  evidently 
turned  his  attention  to  more  absorbing  questions,  both  gentle- 
men found  themselves  more  pleasantly  situated  than  either 
expected  when  the  conversation  commenced.  As  a  single  sun- 
beam will  brighten  the  gloomiest  day.  so  the  little  accident  in 
which  misunderstanding  and  Thomas  Thomson  were  promi- 
nently mixed,  served  to  brighten  Mr.  Wontus's  thoughts,  and 
here  we  leave  them  to  their  enjoyment,  and  turn  our  attention 
to  the  other  members  of  the  party. 

Mr.  Wilkins  had  proceeded  to  the  pilot-house,  as  is  the  cus- 
tom of  traveled  people,  at  the  opening  of  the  conversation  be- 
tween his  employer  and  Mr.  Thomson,  that  he  should  engage 
in  conversation  with  the  pilot  there  can  be  no  question,  for  at 
the  moment  we  take  him  up  we  find  that  gentleman  (the  pilot) 


THE  CORPS  OF  observation:    '         243 

evidently  endeavoring  to  outstrip  Mr.  Wilkins  in  the  relation 
of  a  story,  the  concluding  portion  of  which  is  all  that  finds  a 
place  hero. 

"  You  see,"  remarked  the  pilot,  giving  the  wheel  a  vigorous 
turn,  "  we  had  just  passed  around  Hatteras,  and  commenced 
to  think  that  we  were  to  escape  our  usual  dose  of  storm,  when 
Tim  Brown,  one  of  the  best  men  that  ever  shook  out  a  sail  or 
hove  an  anchor,  sang  out,  '  A  blow !'  AVe  were  sliding  oflf 
before  a  good,  stiff  breeze,  with  every  rag  of  canvas  set,  and  as 
soon  as  we  heard  Tim's  voice  every  man  was  looking  out,  sure 
enough.  I  was  at  the  wheel  at  the  time,  and  the  captain  was 
standing  in  the  waist.  I  couldn't  see  anything,  and  was  just 
about  telling  the  captain  so,  when  he  guessed  my  thoughts  and 
pointed  off  to  leeward.  I  looked,  and  at  first  could  scarcely 
believe  my  eyes,  for  right  there,  cutting  clean  athwart  the  wind, 
was  the  blackest  and  most  threatening  cloud  I  most  ever  saw, 
and  it  was  coming  to  us  like  a  flash  of  lightning.  It  was  singular ; 
it  was  unaccountable  ;  but  there  was  no  mistaking  it,  and  orders 
were  immediately  given  to  take  in  sail.  The  men  jumped  to 
the  work  lively,  but  it  was  of  no  use,  for  before  they  could  get 
in  a  rag,  the  biggest  cloud  of  mosquitoes  went  over  us  that 
mortal  man  ever  set  eyes  on."  (Mr.  Wilkins  elevated  his  eye- 
brows.) "  Yes,  sir ;  the  storm  was  nothing  more  than  a  cloud 
of  mosquitoes.  Well,  for  awhile  they  made  the  day  as  dark 
as  night,  and  when  they  had  all  passed  over  and  the  daylight 
shone  again  there  wasn't  the  first  patch  of  canvas  left  on  the 
spars.  The  infernal  things  had  stripped  us,  and  left  the  masts 
as  bare  as  a  dead  tree," 

The  pilot  turned  to  his  wheel  again  as  he  finished  speaking, 
and  Mr.  Wilkins  stood  looking  in  the  window.  His  face  wore 
a  puzzled  air ;  and  it  was  some  time  ere  the  silence  was  broken, 
except  by  the  clanking  of  the  rudder-chains. 

"It  was  late  in  the  month  of  August,  wasn't  it?"  said 
Wilkins,  in  mild  mjitter-of-fact  manner. 

"  About  the  twenty-ninth,"  replied  the  pilot. 

In  a  moment  Mr.  Wilkins's  manner  changed,  and  with  a 
smile  on  his  lips  he  extended  his  hand  toward  his  companion, 
and  said  : 

"  Your  hand,  mate.  I've  been  wantin'  for  years  to  meet  a 
man  that  was  aboard  that  ship.  I  recollect  the  occasion  jist 
as  well  as  if  it  was  yesterday." 


24:4:  WOXTUS,    OB 

"You  do?"  interrupted  the  pilot  in  ill-concealed  astonish- 
ment. 

"  Yes,  siree,  I  do  !" 

"  How's  that?"  The  pilot  knew  that  Jie  did  not  remember 
either  the  accident  or  the  day,  and  further  than  that  he  did 
not  believe  that  any  other  mortal  man  ever  remembered  seeing 
such  a  thing,  or  that  such  a  thing  ever  had  existence  in  the 
world. 

"  Well,  you  see,"  said  Wilkins,  without  paying  any  atten- 
tion to  the  manner  of  his  companion,  "  I'll  tell  you  jist  how- 
somever  it  was, — I  recollect  it  jist  as  if  it  was  yesterday.  We 
must  have  been  dead  to  leeward  of  your  ship  about  twenty 
miles,  I  guess,  when  that  same  cloud  made  its  appearance.  I 
know'd  what  it  was  the  minute  I  clapped  my  eyes  on  it,  so  I 
jist  told  the  boys  to  look  out  for  their  eyes  and  not  git 
skeered.  Well,  sir,  they  come  right  along  and  went  skimmin' 
over  us  like  the  wind.  I  see  right  away  that  they'd  been  to 
some  other  ship,  so  I  jist  laughed  and  kept  shady." 

"  Did  none  of  them  stop  ?"  queried  the  pilot,  with  assumed 
carelessness,  as  Mr.  Wilkins  ceased  speaking. 

"  Oh,  yes ;  one  or  two  of  'em  couldn't  go  no  fiirther,  and 
they  stopped,  but  most  of  'em  went  on.  It  was  a  thunderin' 
gist  of  'em,  wasn't  it?" 

The  pilot  thus  appealed  to  replied  that  it  was,  but  looked 
nonplused.  After  a  time,  however,  he  asked  Wilkins  how 
he  knew  that  the  mosquitoes  had  visited  another  ship  before 
calling  on  him. 

"  I  knowed,"  replied  Wilkins,  complacently,  "  because  each 
one  of  'em  wore  canvas  trousers,  and  a  good  sprinklin'  of  'em 
carried  with  'em  travelin'  bags  made  out  of  new  sailcloth." 

The  pilot  looked  at  Wilkins  and  Wilkins  looked  at  the 
pilot.  Neither  spoke  for  some  moments.  The  pilot  felt  that 
he  was  defeated,  and  Mr.  Wilkins  was  sure  that  he  had  gained 
a  victory. 

"  Stranger,"  remarked  the  pilot  at  length,  "  for  twenty 
years  I've  had  a  reputation  among  watennen  of  being  able  to 
outlie  any  man  that  trod  a  plank,  but  I  give  it  up ;  yes,  sir,  I 
relinquish  all  claim  to  the  championship,  and  if  you  will  only 
accept  my  knife,  you  will  do  me  a  great  favor.  You  won  it 
fair,  by  thunder  !" 

"  Sir,"  remarked  Wilkins,  after  a  pause,  •'  I  lay  no  claim  to 


THE  CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  245 

tellin'  lies,  and  I  don't  want  your  knife."  And  saying  this  he 
cast  a  look  of  injured  innocence  at  the  pilot,  and  walked  out 
of  the  pilot-house. 

i\lr.  Nidd  was  still  in  the  cr.bin.  The  beautiful  sunshine 
and  the  fresh,  salt  air  had  no  charms  for  him.  His  thounhts 
were  far  away,  wandering  among  the  elysian  groves  of  fancy. 
His  face  was  grave  and  serious,  with  occasional  flashes  of  sun- 
shine. These  flashes  always  accompanied  pictures  in  which 
the  lovely  Mrs.  Squirm  stood  out  in  bold  relief.  The  clouds 
which  followed  them  were  brought  there  by  Edward  Pason 
Montcalm  Higginson,  whose  face  always  would  come  in  and 
darken  the  brightest  dreams. 

There  was  a'peculiar  sort  of  tact  about  Mr.  Nidd,  which  I 
scarcely  know  whether  to  admire  or  condemn.  I  do  not  think 
that  he  lacked  courage,  and  yet  I  know  that,  despite  his  best 
efforts  to  be  the  contrary,  he  was  terribly  afraid  of  his  thoughts. 
He  seemed  to  belong  to  that  peculiar  class  of  people  who 
were  always  treasuring  and  bringing  forward  the  darkest  and 
most  disagreeable  incidents  in  their  past  life,  while  the  bright 
ones  were  hidden  away.  It  was  a  part  of  his  life  to  keep  this 
fiict  from  the  knowledge  of  a  curious  world,  and  often,  when 
he  was  troubled  most  at  heart,  his  animal  spirits  fiiirly  eff"er- 
vesced,  and  it  was  in  this  concealment  that  his  tact  was  of 
value.  I  have  always  believed  that  he  was  excessively  sensi- 
tive. Not  that  he  ever  betrayed  any  particular  outward  show 
of  his  feelings,  but  because  I  have  always  noticed  that  an 
accident  wherein  he  was  worsted  was  invariably  followed  by  a 
condition  of  despondency,  which  in  turn  was  followed  by  ex- 
citement superinduced  by  liquor  or  other  artificial  means. 
Sometimes  this  excitement  would  be  of  a  boisterous  character  ; 
at  others  it  was  nothing  more  than  careless  stubbornness.  He 
was  careless  and  stubborn  now. 


21* 


246  WOXTCS,  OR 


CHAPTER  XX. 

ON    TO    RICHMOND THE    CORPS    AT    THE    FRONT — MR.  WON- 

TUS     BUYS    A   RELIC,    AND     WILKINS     MAKES     HIS     FIRST 
FAILURE. 

For  nearly  a  year  the  city  of  Richmond  had  been  the  grand 
point  upon  which  the  attention  of  all  the  people  of  the  land 
had  been  riveted.  With  the  men  in  the  field,  whose 
months  of  weariness  and  exposure  had  commenced  to  make 
them  careless  as  to  danger  or  destination,  all  places  were  alike; 
but  to  those  who  rested  from  the  toils  of  the  day  beneath  the 
shade  of  their  leafy  vines,  or  toasted  their  toes  before  the 
glowing  grate,  and  were  surrounded  by  peace,  plenty,  and 
happiness,  the  cry  came  forth,  "  (3n  to  Richmond  !" 

Ten  thousand  throats  spread  it  to  the  breeze,  and  ten  times 
ten  thousand  echoed  it,  until  the  very  trees  seemed  to  say 
'•On  to  Richmond!"  Those  mercuries  of  public  opinion 
which  come  silently  stealing  to  our  side  at  the  breakfast-table 
had  wafted  the  cry  upon  the  genial  spring  air.  and  now  the 
aiTny  was  again  in  motion.  Again,  did  I  say?  Yes,  again. 
For  three  long,  weary  months  naught  had  been  heard  save 
the  monotonous,  plaintive  cry,  "  All  quiet  on  the  Potomac  !" 
Ah,  well  may  I  say  they  were  weary  months.  How  many 
weeping  mothers  and  anxious  friends  listened  day  after  day, 
and  wondered  how,  amid  the  storms  of  snow  and  sleet,  with 
nothing  save  their  canvas  tents  between  them  and  the  storm 
without,  some  loved  one  was  resting  wrapped  in  his  blanket* 
of  uncertain  warmth  !  But  it  was  over  now.  The  grand 
ai*my  of  the  Potomac  was  in  motion,  and  a  new  feeling  came 
to  the  hearts  of  the  people  and  a  new  look  to  their  ej'es. 
Even  the  army  itself  assumed  a  new  life.  The  odd  mixture 
of  g^yety  and  misery  consequent  to  winter  quarters  in  the 
field  was  forgotten,  and  joy  beamed  from  the  faces  of  men 
who  confronted  death  in  all  its  varied  and  horrible  shapes  at 
every  step. 

Mr.  Wontus  was  always  perfectly  .=;ure  that  when  once  the 


THE  CORPS  OF  observation:  247 

army  commenced- the  forward  movement  it  would  keep  steadily 
on  until  it  possessed  the  capital  of  the  Confederacy. 

He  had  been  standing  alone  gazing  at  the  shore  for  some 
moments,  when  he  discovered  that  the  Veteran  had  suddenly 
made  its  way  up  a  little  inlet,  and  was  just  then  being  made 
fast  to  one  of  the  numerous  canal  barges  which  had  been  used 
in  transporting  material  for  the  army,  but  was  now  fast  in  the 
mud  and  serving  as  wharfage  for  the  transports. 

"What  place  is  this?"  he  asked  of  the  captain,  as  that 
officer  walked  by  him. 

"  Cheesman's  Creek  ;  your  destination,  sir.  You  can  go  no 
farther  by  water."  The  officer  had  more  than  answered  the 
question. 

Exactly  how  fir,  in  miles,  Cheesman's  Creek  is  from  York- 
town  I  am  unable  to  say,  but  I  know  that  it  cannot  be  very 
far,  and  I  have  two  reasons  for  the  assertion.  First,  because 
the  booming  of  the  guns  which  were  hurling  their  iron  hail 
into  the  town  could  be  distinctly  heard  at  the  creek ;  and 
second,  because  it  was  one  of  the  principal  depots  of  sup- 
plies. I  cannot  say  that  there  was  anything  either  enticing 
or  beautiful  about  the  place,  for  there  was  little  for  the  eye  to 
rest  on  but  shimmering  sand  and  rank  vegetation,  with  a  back- 
ground of  tall,  straight  pine-trees,  whose  very  regularity  was 
wearisome  to  look  at.  Outward,  looking  toward  the  broad 
waters  of  the  bay,  w^ere  the  ojster-beds,  with  their  bounds 
fairly  marked  out  to  the  eye  by  the  rows  of  tall  stakes  which 
swayed  and  bent  with  the  heaving  of  the  waters  ;  and  this  was 
all ;  this  completed  the  picture. 

Mr.  Wontus  thought  that  it  was  a  masterly  idea  on  the  part 
of  General  McClellan  when  he  ordered  the  provisional  division 
of  Franklin  into  this  inlet,  there  to  remain  on  board  the  trans- 
ports, and  wait  the  moment  that  the  enemy  should  be  driven 
from  his  stronghold,  and  then  pounce  upon  him  by  sailing  up 
the  river,  disembarking,  and  throwing  the  division  across  his 
path,  thus  placing  him  between  two  forces,  one  of  which  was 
on  his  only  line  of  retreat ;  and  he  only  ceased  to  admire  it 
when  the  boat  was  tied  up. 

It  was  some  time  before  ^Ir.  AVontus  could  induce  Nidd  to 
come  out  of  the  cabin  ;  and  when  he  did  come  out,  it  was  evi- 
dent that  his  meditations  had  not  improved  his  disposition  * 
and  I  think  now  that  the  corps,  after  having  taken  a  view  of 


248  WOXTUS,  OR 

the  surroundings,  -would  as  lief  have  remained  on  board  the 
Vetercni ;  in  fact,  Mr.  Wilkins  hinted,  distantly  of  course,  that 
even  the  Hygeia,  with  all  its  distressing  circumstances  cluster- 
ing about  it,  was  preferable  to  the  comforts  that  could  be  had 
among  the  sands  and  pines  which  surrounded  them  now.  Mr. 
Wontus's  face  wore  a  dubious  expression,  and  it  was  only  after 
the  pilot — who  had  guessed  the  state  of  affairs — had  twitted 
them  severely  that  the  gentlemen  made  their  way  down  the 
gang-plank  to  the  deck  of  one  of  the  barges.  The  baggage 
had  preceded  them,  and  a  good  portion  of  it  was  already  un- 
dergoing a  minute  inspection  in  the  hands  of  a  squad  of 
soldiers.  It  was  quite  a  long  while  before  the  united  elo- 
quence of  Wontus  and  Wilkins  could  persuade  the  men  that 
the  mass  of  stuff  was  private  property ;  but  it  was  done  after 
a  time,  and  ere  Mr.  Wontus  was  fully  aware  of  what  was 
going  on,  Nidd  had  departed,  and  was  out  of  sight,  while 
Thomson  and  Wilkins  were  busy  in  giving  the  men  who  sur- 
rounded them  the  latest  news  from  home. 

Wontus  never  for  a  moment  believed  that  he  was  at  all  likely 
to  be  killed  in  the  course  of  his  observation  in  the  army.  He 
argued  that  as  he  had  simply  come  into  the  field  to  see  and 
render  such  assistance  to  the  sick  and  wounded  as  he  was  able, 
there  was  no  reason,  that  he  could  see,  why  even  so  much  as 
a  chance  shot  should  come  anywhere  near  him.  In  brief,  he 
had  no  thought  but  that  he  would  soon  be  on  his  way  back  to 
the  latitude  of  Washington.  With  this  idea  firmly  fixed  in 
his  mind,  he  was  determined  that  when  he  did  return  he  would 
carry  with  him  such  trophies  and  relics  as  would  be  indubitable 
evidence  of  his  having  been  among  the  scenes  which  he  intended 
to  describe  to  his  circle  of  friends  at  home.  In  this  our  hero 
was  no  exception  to  the  rule,  for  of  all  the  people  who  visited 
the  troops  in  the  field,  scarcely  more  than  one  in  every  hun- 
dred returned  home  without  carrying — or  endeavoring  to  carry 
— with  him  some  relic  of  the  place  he  had  visited.  It  was 
a  sort  of  disease,  and  as  Mr.  Wontus  could  not  be  expected 
to  escape  its  influences,  I  shall  proceed  to  relate  his  experi- 
ence. 

"  How  do  you  like  it  here  ?"  he  asked  of  one  of  the  soldiers 
who  stood  near  him.  The  soldier  replied,  laughingly,  that  he 
supposed  that  it  didn't  make  much  difference  whether  he  liked 
it  or  not,  he  would  have  to  stay. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATIOX.  249 

"  It's  pretty  warm,"  continued  Woutus,  cheerily,  by  way  of 
continuing  the  conversation. 

"  Well,  yes,"  replied  the  man ;  "but  not  so  warm  as  I've  seen 
it." 

"Ah!"  ejaculated  Wontus;  "been  fighting,  perliaps?" 

"  Some,"  said  the  soldier,  laconically  ;  "  took  a  little  of  Bull 
Eun,  Rich  Mountain,  and  'round  Manassas." 

"  You  don't  tell  me  !  and — and  unhurt?" 

"  Got  a  little  one  in  the  thigh,  and  lost  a  chunk  of  this  ear," 
continued  the  soldier,  pointing  to  his  wounds. 

"  How  wonderful !"  soliloquized  Mr.  Wontus.  And  then  turn- 
ing to  the  soldier,  and  speaking  aloud,  he  asked  if  it  was  pos- 
sible for  him  to  secure  some  relic  from  some  one  of  the  men 
who  had  passed  through  so  much. 

"  Why,  certainly,"  replied  the  soldier,  showing  a  much 
greater  interest  in  the  conversation  than  he  had  heretofore  done. 
"  Certainly  ;  I've  some  myself,  and  I  know  others  who  wouldn't 
part  with  some  of  the  relics  they've  got  for  anything  in  the 
world." 

"  I  don't  like  to  trouble  you,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  after  a 
pause,  "  but  I  presume  this  would  be  a  good  place  for  me  to 
secure  some  little  mementos ;  could  I  see  some  of  these  things?" 

"  Of  course,"  replied  the  soldier.  "  It's  no  trouble  at  all. 
Just  wait  here  a  moment  and  I'll  fetch  some  to  you."  Say- 
ing this,  the  man  turned  quickly  away,  and  in  a  few  moments 
more  was  lost  among  the  tents  of  the  camp. 

Wilkins  and  Tommy  were  carrying  the  baggage  ashore,  and 
Mr.  Wontus  found  himself  alone  ;  that  is  to  say,  that  although 
there  were  in  the  immediate  vicinity  thousands  of  men,  yet  of 
all  these  there  was  none  that  he  could  call  a  friend  or  even  an 
acquaintance.  Yet  he  smiled  as  he  looked  about  him  and  en- 
deavored to  make  himself  think  the  horrors  of  war  were 
visionary,  for  on  every  side  soldiers  could  be  seen  enjoying 
themselves  as  best  suited  their  fimcy.  Idleness  seemed  to  be 
the  rule,  and  our  hero  said  to  himself  that  it  was  no  wonder 
that  there  was  nothing  done  since  nobody  appeared  to  have 
anything  to  do.  While  he  stood  thinking,  the  soldier  came 
toward  him,  carrying  in  his  arms  a  heterogeneous  mass  of 
cannon  rammers,  belts,  hats,  shoes,  and  what  not.  As  the  man 
drew  near  Mr.  W^ontus's  eyes  brightened,  and  he  advanced  to 
meet  him.     "  You've  got  them,"  said  he,  pleasantly. 


250  WOXTUS,  OR 

The  soldier  was  nearly  out  of  breath,  but  as  he  tossed  the 
relics  on  the  ground,  he  managed  to  say  that  he  had  got  them, 
and  that  he  had  had  considerable  trouble  in  doing  it,  as  they 
were  growing  ver}'  scarce. 

"  2sow,"  Said  AVontus,  as  he  examined  the  stuff  before  him, 
''  you  must  tell  me  about  these  things, — each  one  has  an  in- 
teresting and  eventful  history,  I've  no  doubt." 

"  This,"  said  the  soldier,  taking  up  a  somewhat  dilapidated 
shoe,  which  bore  unmistakable  evidences  of  having  been  but 
recently  taken  from  the  foot  of  the  owner,  "  is  the  only  relic 
in  the  country  of  a  most  remarkable  event." 

"  Ah  !"  exclaimed  our  hero,  examining  the  shoe  critically. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  continued  the  man  ;  "  it  was  once  the  property 
of  a  gentleman  named  Eussell.  and  was  lost  by  him  while 
skedaddling  from  the  field  at  Bull  Run." 

"  Russelt? — Eussell?"  said  Mr.  Wontus.  '•  I  don't  remem- 
ber any  general  by  that  name." 

"  He  wasn't  a  general,"  replied  the  soldier,  "he  was  the 
correspondent  of  a  London  newspaper." 

"  Yes,  yes,"  cried  Wontus.  "I  do  remember  now.  I  read 
his  vivid  description  of  the  battle  you  speak  of  in  one  of  the 
papers.  And  this  is  one  of  his  shoes,  lost  in  scampering 
away  from  the  battle-field.  He  must  have  been  going  very 
fast?"  Mr.  Wontus  spoke  interestedly,  and  seemed  deeply 
absorbed. 

"Fasti"  said  the  soldier,  "  going  fiist !  You  just  bet  he 
was.  He  hadn't  time  to  pick  up  his  shoe,  and  as  I  was  stand- 
ing by,  and  thought  perhaps  this  was  about  the  only  thing 
about  him  that  I'd  ever  see  again,  I  picked  it  up,  and  have 
carried  it  ever  since." 

"  What  will  you  take  for  it  ?"  demanded  Wontus.  "  It  ?s 
a  relic, — a  treasure."  His  patriotic  feelings  had  been  roused, 
and  when  he  remembered  how  disrespectfully  the  reputed 
owner  of  the  shoe  had  spoken  of  the  government,  he  was  de- 
termined to  have  the  relic  at  any  price.  "  What  will  you 
take  for  it  ?"  he  repeated. 

"  I  don't  care  about,  selling  it,"  said  the  man,  doggedly. 
"  I'll  give  you  five  dollars  for  it,"  cried  Wontus,  toying 
with  the  shoe,  and  looking  covetous. 

"  I  don't  care  about " 

"  ril  give  you  ten  dollars  for  it,"  interrupted  Wontus. 


THE   CORPS  OF   OIlHEllVATION.  251 

"I've  carried  it  so  long,''  said  the  man,  regretfully,  ''that 

really  I  don't  care  about " 

"  Here's  four  (juarter  eagles  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  shaking 
the  gold  in  his  extended  hand. 

"  Well,"  said  the  soldier  after  a  time,  and  heaving  a  deep 
sigh,  as  though  he  was  making  a  terrible  sacrifice,  "  you're  a 
clever  sort  of  a  man,  and  I'll  let  you  have  it, — providing,"  he 
continued,  as  Mr.  Wontus  was  about  speaking,  "  that  you  let 
me  have  it  back  again  in  case  I  live  to  get  home." 

This  Mr.  Wontus  agreed  to,  and  the  money  was  deposited 
in  the  soldier's  pocket.  "  Do  you  want  any  of  the  other 
things?"  he  asked,  looking  cautiously  around. 

Mr.  Wontus  believed  not, — at  least  not  at  present ;  and 
while  he  still  stood  examining  his  prize,  the  soldier  quietly 
withdrew  and  disappeared. 

"  Why,  he's  left  all  his  relics  here,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  no- 
ticing that  the  soldier  was  gone,  and  that  the  rammers,  belts, 
and  so  on  were  still  lying  before  him  on  the  ground.  "  He 
knows  he  need  have  no  fear  of  me,"  continued  the  gentleman, 
proudly.  And  then,  after  some  reflection  and  inquiry,  it 
occurred  to  him  that  he  might  have  been  swindled.  The 
soldier  did  not  return  for  the  relics  which  he  had  left  on  the 
ground,  and  this  fact,  as  much  as  anything  else,  convinced 
Wontus  that  his  purchase  was  valueless, — that  the  whole  story 
was  a  fraud,  and  that  he  had  been  swindled.  What  would 
Nidd  and  the  others  say  if  they  knew  he  had  been  deceived 
by  such  a  transparent  trick  ?  He  would  never  mention  it ! 
And  he  solaced  himself  with  the  belief  that  after  all  he  was 
probably  better  ofi"  than  most  relic-hunters,  and  with  a  sigh 
he  cast  his  treasure  from  him  into  the  water  at  his  feet. 

The  afternoon  had  nearly  passed  before  the  other  members 
of  the  party  made  their  appearance,  and  preparations  were 
made  for  the  first  camp.  It  was  wonderful.  A  sandy  knoll 
had  been  selected,  and  Wontus,  Wilkins,  and  Thomson  were 
busy,  under  the  superintendence  of  the  second-named  gentle- 
man, in  hunting  out  the  diiferent  articles  necessary  for  the 
formation  of  the  camp.  With  a  knowledge  that  he  would  be 
expected  to  superintend  the  raising  of  the  tents,  Wilkins  had 
wandered  among  the  camps  which  surrounded  him,  and  had 
so  far  conquered  the  mysteries  about  a  tent,  as  to  know  that 
poles,  pins,  and  cordage  were  necessary  to  make  one  of  them 


'lo'l 


WON  TVS,   OR 


stand  upright.  This  knowledge  he  put  to  the  best  possible 
use  b^'  standing  by  and  issuing  directions  as  to  where  each 
article  should  be  laid,  preparatory  to  the  putting  up  of  the 
tent. 

I  have  strongly  intimated  before  that  the  varied  experi- 
ences of  Benjamin  Wilkins,  as  narrated  by  himself,  had  about 
them,  to  say  the  least,  the  strong  element  of  fiction  ;  but  now 
that  he  is  so  profuse  in  his  orders  and  masterly  inactive  in 
every  other  respect,  I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
gentleman  was  either  entirely  inexperienced  or  that  his  mem- 
ory was  extraordinarily  faulty.  Charitably  accepting  the 
latter  as  the  real  cause  of  his  singular  conduct,  let  me  leave 
my  speculations  and  proceed  at  once  to  describe  the  corps'  first 
experience  at  the  front. 

I  have  noticed,  and  so  have  others,  I  suppose,  that  whenever 
the  sun  once  commences  to  go  down  he  goes  duwn  much 
faster  than  is  agreeable,  if  you  have  anything  which  you  wish 
to  complete  before  he  takes  his  departure.  "Well,  this  was 
exactly  the  case  on  the  evening  of  our  friends'  arrival  at 
Cheesman's  Creek. 

Nidd,  more  sullen  and  uncommunicative  than  we  (I  always 
mean  the  reader  and  myself)  have  seen  him  of  late,  sat  facing 
the  water,  with  his  back  supported  by  a  tree.  He  took  no 
part  in  the  scenes  that  were  transpiring  about  him,  nor  did  he 
offer  a  word  of  remonstrance  or  advice.  Wontus  was  most 
active,  and  with  a  view  of  stimulating  the  other  members  of 
the  party,  his  manner  was  calm  and  cheerful.  Thomas 
Thomson  had  scarceh^  compreheuded  the  new  life  which  was 
spread  before  him,  and  being  subject  to  the  orders  of  Mr. 
Wilkins  and  the  suggestions  of  Mr.  Wontus,  his  time,  I  may 
say,  was  fairly  occupied. 

"  When  I  was  in  the  Crimea,'"  remarked  Mr.  Wilkins.  with 
a  faint  shadow  of  doubt  on  his  face,  "  our  tents  were  pitched 
in  this  way."  And  as  he  spoke  he  thrust  a  ridge-pole  into  one 
of  the  large  tents,  and  raised  the  end  from  the  ground.  Once 
having  the  tent  in  an  upright  position,  he  held  it  there,  and 
then  followed  such  a  multitude  of  directions  as  to  what  should 
be  done  next,  that  both  Mr.  Wontus  and  Thomson  bathed 
themselves  in  perspiration  in  their  efforts  to  execute  all  the 
orders.  But  it  was  of  no  use.  and  with  complaints  long  and 
deep  showered  on  the  head  of  the  manufacturer,  Mr.  AVilkins 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSEEVATION.  253 

finally  gave  all  to  understand  that  all  the  poles,  and  eveiy- 
tlung  else,  in  fact,  had  been  made  for  some  other  tent,  and 
that  the  gentlemen  would  be  compelled  to  wait  until  he  Qould 
procure  new  fixtures.  When  this  came  to  be  perfectly  under- 
stood, Mr.  Wontus  was  really  a  sad  picture.  Was  there  no 
house  near  in  which  he  could  shelter  himself  from  the  chillin- 
night  air  which  came  fresh  from  the  sea?  He  would  be  coii^ 
tent  without  a  bed  if  he  only  had  a  roof  to  cover  him.  He 
scanned  the  country  in  every  direction,  but  nothing  wearing 
the  semblance  of  a  house  met  his  eyes.  He  had  walked  to 
where  Mr.  Nidd  was  sitting,  and  the  sun  went  down  as  he  did 
so.  His  lips  parted  as  if  he  would  speak,  but  just  then  there 
came  up  from  the  neighboring  camps  a  sound  which  filled  the 
air  like  sweet  perfume,  and  made  even  Mr.  Nidd  raise  his 
head  and  look  about. 

It  was  "retreat,"  and  as  the  soft  music  came  floating  on 
the  stillness  of  the  evening,  and  echoing  again  and  a'n'ain 
among  the  pines,  Mr.  Wontus  felt  a  thrill  of  melancholy  come 
stealing  into  his  heart,  and  he  gazed  in  deep  abstraction  to- 
ward the  snowy  canvas  city.  By-and-by,  as  the  sweet,  flimiliar 
air  of  ''  Home,  Sweet  Home"  brought  strange  fancies  before 
him,  like  some  shadow  of  the  past,  he  rested  against  the  tree, 
and  a  bright,  sparkling  tear  came  to  his  eyes.  It  was  sad! 
very  sad,  and  I  have  seen  tears  gathering  into  t\iQ  eyes  of 
men,  on  like  occasions,  whose  eyes  had  never  felt  the  moisture 
of  a  tear  since  childhood's  hour. 

The  cun-ent  of  Mr.  W^ontus's  thoughts  was  changed.  When 
he  first  walked  toward  Nidd,  it  was  with  the  evident  intention 
of  complaining  of  the  conduct  of  Benjamin  Wilkins  ;  but  now 
his  heart  was  melted,  and  it  was  only  with  some  eff"ort  that  he 
was  enabled  to  direct  his  men  to  spread  the  tents  out  on  the 
ground  and  prepare  some  supper. 

The  first  meal  in  the  field  came  in  for  the  stronirest  con- 
demnation of  Mr.  Nidd's  strong  language,  and  he  wSit  so  far 
as  to  hope  that  the  enemy  would  come  in  the  night  and  carry 
all  of  them  to  Richmond  as  prisoners.  In  vain  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  corps  essayed  to  suit  him.  There  was  nothino- 
right,  and  ere  darkness  had  fairly  settled  down  upon  the  camp 
Mr.  Nidd  had  rolled  himself  up  in  one  of  the  tents  and  lay 
on  the  ground,  the  semblance  of  a  newly-preserved  mummy 
With  the  going  down  of  the  sun  the  wind  freshened,  and 
12 


254  WOXTUS,  OR 

ere  "  taps"  had  sounded  in  the  canvas  city  Mr.  "Wontus  was 
chilled  to  the  bone.  He  had  ordered  Thomson  and  Wilkins 
not  to  leave  the  immediate  precincts  of  the  camp,  and  now  the 
three  gentlemen  sat  looking  at  the  camp-fires  which  sparkled 
and  flashed  in  the  distance,  and  wished,  among  other  things, 
that  they  too  miuht  have  a  fire.  But  this  Mr.  Wontus  would 
not  hear  to.  His  ideas  of  military  life  were  peculiar  concern- 
ing discipline,  and  he  almost  feared  to  move  lest  by  some  mis- 
hap or  misunderstanding  he  might  be  shot  down  as  a  lurking 
spy  or  murderer. 

Thus  he  sat  as  the  night  wore  on,  his  thoughts  busy  with 
the  past,  present,  and  the  future.  The  memories  of  the  past 
were  tinged  with  a  brightness  reflective  of  purity  and  happi- 
ness ;  and  he  lingered  among  them  as  one  is  apt  to  do  when 
viewing  the  paintings  of  a  master.  He  traced  himself  step 
by  step  from  childhood  up,  and  there  came  up  before  him  the 
likeness  of  It, — she  whom  he  had  so  tenderly  cared  for  in 
Washington.  He  dismissed  this  thought  as  quickly  as  he 
could,  and  then  looked  out  upon  the  future.  It  was  blank  and 
void,  and  while  he  sat  trying  to  gaze  into  the  maze  of  dark- 
ness, he  instinctively  gathered  his  wrappings,  and,  pulling  the 
folds  of  the  tent  about  him,  sank  into  a  peaceful  sleep. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


CORPS  TO    TORKTOWX. 


Mr.  Wontus  was  astonished  when  he  awoke  in  the  morn- 
ing and  found  that  he  had  slept  through  the  din  of  reveille, 
and  that  now  the  sun  and  a  score  of  idle,  curious  soldiers  were 
looking  down  upon  him  with  more  intent  than  was  agreeable. 
At  first  he  was  at  a  loss  to  comprehend  his  situation,  but  when 
he  put  his  hand  out  from  beneath  the  tent  and  felt  the  cold 
moisture  which  had  collected  on  the  canvas  during  his  slum- 
bar,  his  mind  appeared  to  take  in  the  situation,  and  he  com- 
menced feeling  his  limbs  as  if  to  assure  himself  that  no  part 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION:  255 

of  him  had  mysteriously  disappeared  in  the  niii'ht.  The  gen- 
tleman first  raised  his  head  and  glanced  around  him,  and  then 
rose  up  to  a  sitting  posture  and  rubbed  his  eyes  with  his 
knuckles.  He  had  been  performing  this  interesting  and  highly 
necessary  operation  some  moments,  when,"  glancing  toward  the 
water,  his  attention  was  at  once  riveted  upon  an  object  which 
he  saw  there. 

Even  now  I  can  go  to  the  ornithological  museum  and  find 
no  little  pleasure  in  gazing  at  that  strange,  fmtastic  bird  called 
the  stork.  His  long,  lank,  greenish-yellow  legs  are  to  me  the 
most  astonishing  part  of  his  general  make  up,  and  I  have  often 
asked  myself,  when  T  saw  the  specimen  wading  through  the 
shallow  water,  whether  there  was  anything  in  the  human 
family  which  resembled  it.  The  same  thought  might  have 
occurred  to  Mr.  AVontus,  for  when  his  gaze  first  met  the  object 
which  had  caused  him  to  cease  rubbing  his  eyes  and  look 
with  so  much  attention  upon  one  spot,  he  was  in  some  doubt 
whether  the  object  belonged  to  the  family  Ardeinse,  of  colossal 
proportions,  or  whether  it  was  really  a  human  being.  It  was 
Gascon  Nidd. 

The  rattling  of  drums  and  the  blowing  of  bugles  had 
aroused  Mr.  Nidd  at  the  break  of  day,  and  he  had  shook  the 
dampness  from  off  his  coverings  and  immediately  arisen.  His 
first  desire  was  to  wash  himself,  and  as  there  was  no  way  of 
reaching  the  water  except  over  the  muddy  banks,  he  had 
divested  himself  of  his  habiliments,  except  his  red  flannel 
drawers  and  shirt,  and  was  now  floundering  through  the  ooze 
in  search  of  some  path  by  which  he  might  return  to  dry  land 
without  taking  with  him  such  vast  quantities  of  the  mud  as 
would  persist  in  sticking  to  him.  It  was  no  wonder  that 
Wontus  was  surprised,  for  Mr.  Nidd's  long  legs  and  slim  body, 
encased  in  tight-fitting  red  flannel,  to  which  were  added  the 
long,  swinging  arms  and  hatless  head,  were  enough  to  make 
even  the  natives  of  the  region  (if  there  were  any)  believe  that 
he  was  some  singular  nondescript  who  had  suddenly  dropped 
among  them  from  the  clouds. 

The  gentleman  in  red  flannel  was  still  smarting  under  other 
wounds,  to  which  the  new  dilemma  certainly  added  no  salve. 
The  more  he  lifted  his  bare  feet  from  the  mud  and  endeavored 
to  lighten  himself  by  sundry  contortions  of  the  body,  the  more 
his  feet  would  sink  into  it.     Desperation  finally  induced  him 


256  WOXTUS,  OB 

to  walk  boldly  forth,  carrying  with  him  everything  that  dis- 
played a  practical  desire  to  cultivate  so  close  an  acquaintance 
as  to  stick  to  him.  What  he  said  to  Mr.  "Wontus  on  drawing 
near  that  gentleman  was  of  so  forcible  a  character  as  to  induce 
our  hero  to  rise  without  delay  and  close  his  eai-s  with  las 
hands. 

The  breakfiist  which  followed  the  first  niuht  in  the  field 
was  not  what  might  be  called  a  very  luxurious  one ;  in  fact, 
the  corps,  while  it  was  provided  witli  almost  everything  else, 
was  without  a  mouthful  of  provisions,  and  had  it  not  been  ftir 
the  persuasive  abilities  of  Mr.  Wilkins  and  the  generosity  of 
some  of  the  soldiers,  it  is  probable  that  the  party  would  have 
had  no  breakfast  at  all.  As  it  was,  cofi'ee,  which  Mr.  Wontus 
declared  wasn't  fit  for  swine,  and  a  few  "hard-tacks"  were 
partaken  of.  and  then  a  council  was  held  as  to  the  next  move- 
ment. There  were  just  as  many  different  opinions  as  there 
were  men.  Wontus  insisted  on  pushing  on  fiirther  into  the 
field  ;  Xidd  would  go  to  Philadelphia  or  New  York  ;  Thomson 
would  prefer  New  York,  and  Wilkins  thought  that  more  could 
be  seen  in  Washington  than  anywhere  else.  The  arguments 
jjro  and  con  were  strong  and  seductive ;  but.  to  the  utter  sur- 
prise of  everybody,  Mr.  Wontus  ended  the  matter  by  declaring 
that  the  other  gentlemen  could  desert  him  if  they  pleased,  but 
for  himself,  he  had  started  out  with  a  purpose,  and  he  would 
not  return  until  he  had  fulfilled  it. 

Thomas  Thomson  was  the  first  to  declare  his  intention  to 
stand  by  Mr.  Wontus,  and  after  him  came  Wilkins.  with  the 
strongest  asseverations  that  he  had  never  had  any  other  desire 
or  intention  than  to  stand  by  Mr.  Wontus,  anywhere  and 
everywhere,  at  all  times.  Nidd  never  quit  his  ground  for  a 
moment,  but  it  was  plainly  evident  that  while  he  differed  from 
the  othei-s  yet  he  was  willing  to  abide  by  the  will  of  the 
majority.  It  was  a  victory  for  Mr.  Wontus,  and  cur  hero 
knew  it  and  felt  it,  and  preparations  were  at  once  made  for  the 
onward  march. 

But  now  a  new  dilemma  presented  itself.  Here  was  baggage 
enough  to  fill  a  wagon,  but  no  wagon.  Hundreds  of  wagons 
were  constantly  passing  and  repassing,  but  it  was  only  after 
gi-eat  trouble  that  a  bargain  was  finally  struck  with  one  of  the 
teamsters,  and  the  baggage  loaded,  with  ]\lr.  Wilkins  detailed 
as  guard. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  257 

The  marcli  to  Yorktown  was  enjoyable  to  Mr.  Wontus,  for 
he  chatted  cheerfully  with  the  soldiers  that  he  met  by  the 
way ;  but  by  the  time  the  party  emerged  from  the  pines  into 
the  rather  pleasant  fields  in  the  rear  of  the  right  wing  of  the 
besieging  army,  Mr.  Nidd  was  footsore  and  miserable.  His 
feet  had  suffered  considerable  injury  on  account  of  the  mud 
which  had  found  its  way  into  his  shoes  in  the  morning,  and 
he  looked  vexed. 

Once  among  the  scenes  of  active  hostilities,  the  gentlemen 
selected  a  comfortable  spot  by  the  side  of  the  road,  and  awaited 
the  arrival  of  the  baggage,  and  amid  the  speculations  and 
scenes  which  followed  even  Nidd  forgot  his  misfortunes  and 
became  talkative,  and  Mr.  Wontus  was  social  and  highly  good- 
humored. 

Noon  came ;  but  Wilkins  and  the  baggage  did  not.  The 
gentlemen  had  partially  fasted  at  breakfast,  and  bid  fair  to 
repeat  the  ceremony  at  dinner.  They  wondered  where  Mr. 
Wilkins  could  be,  but  there  was  so  much  to  see  that  it  was 
not  until  late  in  the  afternoon  that  the  growlings  of  hunger 
bid  them  make  the  acquaintance  of  somebody  who  could  tell 
them  where  something  eatable  might  be  had.  The  first  man 
questioned  on  this  important  subject  gazed  at  them  a  moment 
in  astonishment,  and  then  bobbed  his  head  to  one  side  and 
passed  on.  The  question  was  a  failure.  Mr.  Nidd  now  took 
the  matter  into  his  hands,  and  without  further  ado  walked  up 
to  a  squad  of  soldiers  and  entered  into  conversation.  When 
he  returned  he  had  not  only  the  information  as  to  wlxere 
something  to  eat  might  be  had,  but  also  had  a  verbal  bill  of 
fare,  and  geographical  directions  for  finding  the  purveyor. 
No  time  was  lost  in  following  the  leadership  of  Nidd,  and  ere 
many  minutes  had  passed  Thomas  Thomson  was  freighted 
with  a  goodly  quantity  of  food,  among  which  the  article 
cheese  figured  most  prominently. 

During  the  afternoon,  the  sullen  roar  of  the  siege  pieces 
and  mortars  which  were  then  being  mounted  with  a  view  of 
reducing  the  rebel  stronghold,  and  the  constant  marching  and 
countermarching  of  soldiers,  gave  the  corps  sufficient  excite- 
ment to  enable  its  members  to  pass  the  hours  pleasantly. 
Everything  was  neat  and  orderly,  and  but  for  the  stacks  of 
muskets  which  stood  like  bristling,  closely-cropped  hedges  in 
the  streets,  many  of  the  regimental  camps  might  readily  have 

22-^ 


258  wo\Tr.<^,  OR 

been  taken  for  the  bivouac  of  an  extensive  picnic-party.  The 
men  who  were  on  duty  were  hidden  from  view  by  the  woods 
just  beyond  the  lino  of  tents,  while  those  who  had  gone 
through  their  share  of  the  toil  and  danger  in  the  saps  on  the 
night  before  sauntered  about  and  talked  of  the  future,  when 
the  land  should  be  once  more  at  peace,  and  the  victors  re- 
warded for  their  patriotism  and  fidelity.  Here  a  party  might 
be  seen  indulging  in  euchre,  while  each  convenient  stump  fur- 
nished a  desk  for  some  brave  fellow  to  indite  a  few  hearty 
lines  to  the  loved  ones  at  home.  It  was  a  strange  sight,  such 
as  was  never  seen  in  an  army  before,  and  such  as  will  prob- 
ably never  be  seen  again.  With  nothing  save  disaster  and 
defeat  as  a  prestige,  the  men  seemed  confident  of  ultimate 
victory,  and  were  merry. 

Heavy  mortars  and  siege  trains  passed  along  the  road,  but 
IMr.  Wilkins  did  not.  Long  lines  of  wagons  also  passed  as 
the  shades  of  evening  gathered,  but  among  them  all  one  was 
wanting.  It  was  the  one  containing  the  baggage.  Time  wore 
on,  and  night  came.  Was  ever  a  corps  of  observation  so  dLs- 
tressed  before?  Strangers  to  all  who  surrounded  them,  alone 
among  half  a  hundred  thousand  men,  three-quarters  of  the 
Woutus  Corps  of  Observation  sat,  and  asked  themselves  what 
they  were  doing  there. 

And  it  rained.  A  night  of  slow,  misty,  miserable  rain  is 
bad,  very  bad,  in  the  streets  of  a  city ;  but  a  night  of  rain  in 
the  fields  is  superlatively  bad.  It  is  even  distressing  when 
you  are  sheltered  from  its  dampening  influences,  but  when 
you  are  without  shelter  it  is  simply  iKsrrible. 

I  cannot  undertake  to  follow  Mr.  Wilkins's  every  movement 
since  he  was  left  to  guard  the  baggage  on  the  wagons  at 
Cheesman's  Creek.  I  have  therefore  only  to  ask  the  reader 
to  imagine  the  guard  and  the  teamster  both  on  very  fomiliar 
terms  and  both  gloriously  and  enthusiastically  drunk.  Mr. 
Wontus  might  have  thought  of  it  before,  but  it  wa.s  not  until 
the  night  and  the  rain  came  on  together,  and  found  them 
without  shelter,  that  he  concluded  that  that  condition  of  affairs 
was  within  the  range  of  human  possibilities.  He  communi- 
cated his  thoughts  to  Nidd,  and  received  for  a  sympathetic 
reply  that  such  was  no  doubt  the  case,  and  that  he  was  old 
enough  to  have  known  better. 

How  the  trio  passed  the  night  I  must  partially  leave  to  the 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  259 

imagination  of  the  reader.  Without  a  tent,  blanket,  overcoat, 
or  other  coverinLi-,  the  gentlemen  luiddletl  together  at  the  root 
of  a  friendly  i)ine,  and  there  they  sat  during  the  night.  Nidd's 
mind  had  evidently  taken  a  new  turn,  for  while  they  were 
sitting  back  to  back,  vainly  trying  to  find  a  dry  place  beneath 
the  tree,  Mr.  Wontus  remarked  to  Mr.  Nidd  that  it  was  ter- 
rible. 

"  Not  much,"  replied  Nidd,  with  savage  satisfaction  ;  "  not 
much,  sir !  Very  pleasant,  I  am  sure,  for  a  man  who  desires 
to  gratify  his  curiosity ;  supremely  pleasant,  sir  !"  There  was 
so  much  of  irony  in  Mr.  Nidd's  manner  that  Wontus  refrained 
from  addressing  him  further,  and  from  that  hour  until  the 
breaking  of  the  morning  but  few  sounds  broke  the  stillness 
of  the  night  save  the  fire  of  the  gunboats  on  the  river  as  they 
showered  their  iron  bolts  at  regular  intervals  into  Yorktowu 
and  the  answeiing  shots  of  the  uneasy  foe. 

To  our  friends  the  sound  of  screaming  shells,  as  they  went 
flying  through  the  air  high  above  them,  was  something  so 
terrible  that  had  it  been  daylight  it  is  probable  that  Wontus 
would  have  chosen  a  safer  place  than  his  present  situation 
seemed  to  be,  and  he  was  nervous  and  excited.  Now  he 
waited  for  the  gunboats  to  fire,  and  when  the  report  had  died 
away,  he  drew  his  coat  collar  higher  about  his  ears,  and  lis- 
tened attentively  for  the  dull  inimitable  thug — thug — thug, 
of  the  ponderous  bolt  as  it  sped  through  the  air  on  its  mis- 
sion of  destruction.  Then  he  waited  for  the  shot  in  reply, 
and  listened  to  the  echoing  sounds  which  rolled  and  tossed 
among  the  hills  and  vales  away  in  the  distance.  Occasionally, 
as  a  lull  in  the  storm  would  give  one  particular  shot  a  louder 
and  more  distinct  report  than  another,  Mr.  Wontus  would 
turn  to  his  trembling  servant  and  ask  him  if  he  had  noticed  it. 

"  There,  notice  that !"  cried  he,  beneath  his  breath.  "  ^Y]^ere- 
are-you^  tcliere-are-you,  v:here-arc-you  ?  That's  what  that  one 
said.  Oh,  horror  of  horrors !  Tommy,  I  fear  somebody  will 
be  killed  with  this  horrible  firing."  To  this  sage  speech 
Thomson  made  no  reply,  and  the  night  wore  away  without 
Mr.  Wontus  having  the  knowledge  that  he  had  closed  his 
eyes  in  repose  for  a  moment. 


260  WONTUS,  OR 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

"WHAT     THE     GUARDSMAN     SAID     HAPPENED WHAT    DID 

HAPPEN. 

The  morning  came  at  last,  leaden-colored  and  gloomy,  and 
the  tliree  gentlemen  stood,  soaked  to  the  skin,  beneath  the  pine- 
tree,  until  the  moving  soldiers  and  the  pangs  of  hunger  warned 
them  that  it  was  time  they  were  astir. 

The  long  line  of  white-covered  wagons  was  scanned  in  vain 
in  the  search  for  Wilkins  and  the  baggage,  but  since  each 
wagon  resembled  the  other  so  closely,  and  none  contained  the 
smallest  article  which  could  be  identified,  their  attention  was 
soon  turned  in  another  direction.  Fortunately,  Mr.  Wontus 
was  well  provided  with  money,  and  the  soldiers  were  generous 
with  their  colFee,  or  the  gentlemen  would  have  been  compelled 
to  have  breakfasted  on  cheese  and  water. 

"  Where  can  that  man  have  gone  to?  What  has  become 
of  him?"  asked  Wontus,  as  he  sipped  his  cofi'ee  from  a  black 
and  rusty  tin  cup. 

''Gone  to  the  devil,  I  hope,"  replied  Nidd,  as  he  walked 
about,  with  a  tin  cup  in  one  hand  and  a  great  piece  of  cheese 
in  the  other,  looking  for  a  dry  spot  to  sit  upon. 

"  P'raps  somethin'  has  killed  him,"  remarked  Thomson. 

Mr.  Nidd  halted,  and  looked  scornfully  at  the  speaker. 
"Killed!"  said  he,  after  a  moment's  pause;  "him  killed? 
Not  much.  The  bullet  was  never  made  that  could  kill  him. 
He  was  born  to  be  hung  !" 

"  I  hope " 

Mr.  Wontus  was  interrupted  by  Nidd  :  "  You  can  hope  !  but 
what  does  hope  amount  to  when  applied  to  such  a  consummate 
scoundrel  as  this  fellow  ?  You  should  have  known  better  than 
to  trust  him,  knowing  his  propensities." 

'•  There  he  is  now !"  shouted  Tommy,  joyfully,  pointing  to- 
ward the  woods. 

Just  emerging  into  the  clear  field  was  the  form  of  Benjamin 
Wilkins.     His  chin  was  resting  upon  his  breast,  his  hands 


THE   COUPS   OF   OnSERVATIOX.  2C1 

jammed  into  Ins  pockets,  ;iih1  liisj  liii^crushed  down  over  his 
eyes.  With  slow  and  fahering  stei)S  he  moved  along,  until 
he  reached  his  anxious  friends,  and  then  stood  like  a  culprit 
awaiting  sentence. 

"  Well,  sir !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  with  dignified  anger,  "you 
have  arrived,  have  you?" 

Mr.  Wilkins  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and,  drawing  his 
hands  from  his  pockets,  stood  with  his  eyes  fixed  upon  the 
ground,  as  though  he  would  have  said,  had  he  said  anything, 
that  it  was  of  no  use  to  cry  over  spilt  milk. 

"  You've  evidently  enjoyed  yourself,"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  ironi- 
cally, taking  a  survey  of  his  person. 

To  this  Mr.  Wilkins  made  no  rejoiner,  but  raising  his  head 
he  took  a  hasty  glance  at  his  angular  friend,  and  again  shrugged 
his  shoulders.  This  movement  was  what  Mr.  Wontus  had  been 
looking  for,  and  as  he  caught  sight  of  Benjamin's  flice,  he 
started  back  with  an  exclamation  of  surprise.  It  was  plain  now 
that  the  guardsman  had  been  intoxicated.  His  clothes  were 
torn  and  besmeared  with  mud,  and  his  eyes  were  discolored 
and  badly  swollen.  Added  to  this  were  sundry  marks  across 
his  forehead  and  cheeks,  which  gave  him  the  appearance  of 
having  fallen  into  hands  which  marked  him  well  before  per- 
mitting him  to  depart. 

"Where  is  the  baggage?"  cried  Wontus,  angrily.  "I  de- 
mand an  explanation,  sir !" 

"  Could  I  have  a  mouthful  to  eat  or "  He  spoke  most 

humbly,  and  tried  to  look  with  his  bloodshot  eyes  beseechingly 
at  his  employer.  The  look  had  done  the  business  for  Mr. 
Wontus,  and,  much  to  the  disgust  of  Nidd,  that  gentleman  at 
once  offered  the  new-comer  his  cup,  and  ordered  Tommy  to 
bring  forth  the  cheese  and  crackers.  While  Wilkins  was  re- 
freshing himself,  Wontus  wandered  off  and  stood  eyeing  him 
from  a  distance,  and  it  was  plain  to  be  seen  that  the  old  gen- 
tleman was  determined  to  have  an  explanation  as  to  what  dis- 
position had  been  made  of  the  baggage.  Wilkins's  appetite 
on  this  occasion  was  easily  satisfied,  and  as  he  gulped  down 
his  cup  of  coffee  our  hero  walked  up  to  him  and  renewed  his 
demand  for  an  explanation.  As  the  guardsman  was  not  in  a 
very  talkative  mood,  I  will  give  his  statement  as  he  made  it. 

What  Mr.  Wilkins  said  iLappened. — "  When  you  left,"  said 
the  speaker,  "  I  told  the  driver  which  baggage  he  was  for  to 


262  rroxTus,  on 

load,  and  then,  that  I  n^ght  be  sure  that  everything  was  right, 
I  took  charge  of  the  jimuiijohn,  and  we  mounted.  Of  course 
you  know  it  ain't  very  far  from  here  to  where  we  landed,  but 
somehow  or  another  the  wagon-driver,  he  lost  his  way.  and  al- 
though I  done  all  that  laid  in  my  power  to  get  us  straight  on 
the  road  again,  it  was  night  before  we  knowed  exactly  where 
we'd  got  to.  As  soon  as  I  got  my  bearin's,  you  just  bet 
we  made  tracks,  because  I  knowed  you  would  be  anxious. 
Well,  everything  went  on  all  hunke}'  until  we  struck  the  cor- 
duvoY  road,  and  jist  there  about  forty  men  come  out  of  the 
woods  and  attacked  us.  The  fii-st  thing  I  knowed  was  that 
the  driver  was  knocked  off  his  horse.  I  was  a-sittin'  up  on  the 
wagon,  and  as  soon  as  I  saw  this  I  jumped  down  and  pitched 
in.  But  there  was  too  many  of  'em.  and  they  got  the  best  of 
me.  They  left  me  for  dead,  and  when  I  come  to,  the  wagon 
and  the  driver  and  the  attackin'  party  was  gone, — clean 
gone.  As  soon  as  I  was  able — for  I'm  kind  of  badly  hurted — 
I  started  out  to  find  you,  and  now  I'm  decently  well  glad  that 
I'm  alive." 

Wontus  listened  attentively  to  the  story,  and  then  turned 
away.  A  moment  afterwards  he  heard  from  some  straggling 
soldiers 

What  did  hcqyjjcn. — It  was  this:  Wontus  and  party  had 
scarcely  got  out  of  sight  when  Mr.  Wilkins  and  the  driver  of 
the  wagon  sat  down  to  a  sociable  game  of  cards.  The  game 
was  kept  up  for  a  greater  part  of  the  day,  and  toward  evening 
it  was  proposed  that  they  should  take  up  their  line  of  march 
toward  Yorktown.  This  movement  they  had  endeavored  to 
execute,  but  as  they  had  transferred  a  greater  part  of  the 
liquor  from  the  demijohn  to  their  own  stomachs,  they  found 
it  impossible  for  either  of  them  to  go  in  an}'  particular  direc- 
tion for  any  great  length  of  time,  and  finally  pitched  into  each 
other  and  had  a  grand  fight.  They  were  ably  seconded  by  the 
crews  of  some  of  the  barges  lying  in  the  creek,  and  when 
through,  were  quietly  laid  away  to  refresh.  While  thus  they 
were  enjoying  repose  the  barge-men  had  rifled  the  wagon  of 
its  contents,  and  passed  the  vehicle  itself  over  to  the  military 
authorities,  and  that  was  all. 

It  was  seldom  that  Mr.  Wontus  indulged  in  swearing,  but 
he  did  swear  now.  and  looked  around  for  Nidd,  with  whom  he 
desii-ed  to  consult  as  to  the  proper  coui-se  of  action  to  be  taken 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  263 

in  the  premises.  But  Nidd  was  gone.  He  had  departed  a 
few  moments  after  Wilkins's  arrival.  Unable  to  find  him,  Mr. 
AVontus  consulted  with  himself,  and  concluded  to  discharge 
Wilkius  forthwith.  But  he  never  put  his  resolution  into 
effect.  He  never  had  the  heart  to  do  anything  that  would 
harm  anybody.  He  informed  the  guardsman  of  his  intention, 
but  the  guardsman's  appeals  were  calculated  to  melt  harder 
substances  than  Mr..  Wontus's  heart,  and  he  ended  the  matter 
by  excusing  him,  provided  it  should  never  occur  again. 

The  day  was  spent  by  Mr.  Wontus  and  Tommy  in  inspect- 
ing the  works  near  at  hand,  and  when  night  came  our  hero 
and  his  man  found  themselves  the  guests  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Grospill,  of  the  — th  New  York.  Mr.  Wontus  scarcely  knew 
how  he  had  become  acquainted  with  the  reverend  gentleman, 
but  he  was  delighted  with  his  new  companion,  and  gladly  ac- 
cepted the  gentleman's  invitation  to  make  his  (the  chaplain's) 
tent  his  home  as  long  as  circumstances  would  permit.  Through 
the  same  kind  friend,  Nidd  and  Wilkins  were  furnished  with 
a  tent  near  at  hand,  and  thus  the  corps  was  provided  for. 

There  were  some  amusing  things  connected  with  the  rela- 
tionship which  now  existed  between  Nidd  and  Wilkins  which 
cannot  find  a  place  here,  and  for  the  record  of  the  few  days 
which  followed  we  must  again  have  recourse  to  Mr.  Nidd's 
note-book. 

[extract  ] 

Before  Yorktown,  Thursday^  May  1. — Wontus  and 
Thomson  fixed  with  a  minister ;  the  wretch  Wilkins  and 
myself  live  together.  Wontus  furnishes  the  table.  Every- 
thing pretty  good  considering  the  war.  No  peace  at  night ; 
thundering  roar  of  cannons  and  scream  of  shells  all  night. 
Wonder  how  the  soldiers  stand  it;  can't  sleep  for  the  noise. 
Great  preparations  being  made  by  McClellan  for  taking  the 
enemy's  lines.  Was  out  in  a  sap  to-day.  Men  make  the  saps 
and  rifle-pits  at  night,  and  then  lie  in  them  all  day,  firing  at 
the  enemy's  gunners;  great  thing,  but  very  dangerous.  Some- 
times two  parties — one  from  each  side — have  selected  the  same 
ground  for  a  rifle-pit  during  the  day,  and  go  out  under  cover 
of  the  darkness  to  make  the  work  ;  meet  and  fight  in  the  dark. 
Ugh  !  Men  go  out  at  night  full  of  life  and  good  humor,  and 
come  back  dead  in  the  morning,  shot,  or  stuck  with  a  bayonet. 
Nobody  makes  much  account  of  it.     It  makes  me  sad,  but 


264  WOXTUS,  OR 

what  I  write  here  I  never  mention.  Members  of  tlie  corps 
are  seeing  the  sights  as  best  suits  their  f^iucy.  Could  write  a 
book  about  what  I  see,  but  will  not. 

Fridai/j  May  2. — Making  many  acquaintances  ;  called  on  a 
number  of  generals ;  been  received  so-so  by  some,  and  very 
pleasantly  by  others.  Have  found  the  difference  between 
tweedledum  and  tweedledee.  One  is  an  officer  of  the  regular 
army,  and  the  other  isn't.  Notice  many  rather  singular  things, 
and  hear  some  surprising  conversations.  Come  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  military  genius  is  composed  of  three  essentials  :  pluck, 
luck,  and  perseverance  ;  don't  believe  there  is  anything  else  in 
it  except  what  an^Miian  of  common  sense  and  gumption  would 
do  without  being  educated  to  it.  Know  that  this  idea  would 
be  unpopular,  and  therefore  sha'n't  mention  it. 

Heard  a  general  say  that  he  didn't  like  to  fire  into  Magru- 
der ;  Magruder  was  an  old  classmate  and  a  good  fellow.  Been 
wondering  if  he  was  in  earnest,  and  if  he  would  cease  firing 
in  case  his  classmate  was  endangered  by  it.  Very  singular, 
and  yet  remarks  of  a  similar  character  are  plenty  in  many 
circles.  Don't  expect  a  soldier  to  condemn  his  foe  simply  be- 
cause he  is  his  foe,  but  can't  help  feeling  that  there  is  more  in 
these  remarks  than  appears  on  the  surfoce.  Thought  I  would 
write  to  Mr.  Lincoln,  but  have  changed  my  mind. 

Don't  believe  a  man  can  or  will  fight  and  do  his  best  if  his 
heart  is  not  in  the  cause.  Have  concluded  that  some  of  our 
high  officers  are  here  for  fame.  Hope  they  may  get  it,  but 
not  at  the  expense  of  somebody  else. 

Saw  Gi-eneral  McClellan  to-day.  Splendid  gentleman,  and  is 
fairly  worshiped  by  the  men.  Believe  him  to  be  a  good  man  ; 
think  he  dislikes  to  spill  human  blood.  Very  commendable, 
but  not  of  much  value  in  war.  Soldiers  everywhere,  and  more 
coming  in  all  the  time.  The  day  is  drawing  near  when  we 
shall  crush  the  rebellion  like  a  wisp  of  straw. 

Saturday^  May  3. — Terrible  firing  all  last  night :  listened 
to  the  shells  flying  through  the  air,  and  then  felt  the  sides  of 
the  tent.  Concluded  that  the  tent  wouldn't  prevent  the  shells 
from  striking  me.     Horrible  thought. 

Been  wondering  why  I  haven't  heard  from  [erasures]  Phil- 
adelphia. Very  strange.  Perhaps  Scribendi  ?  We  shall  see. 
I  believe  him  to  be  a  man  of  craven  spirit  and  devoid  of  prin- 
ciple.    Time  only  is  necessary  to  develop  him. 


THE   CORPS   OF   ODSERVATIOiV.  2G5 

The  preparations  for  the  grand  assault  still  go  on.  Men 
and  large  mortars  were  mounted  last  evening ;  the  trenches 
are  nearly  finished ;  the  soldiers  are  in  good  spirits,  and  the 
hour  of  victory  seems  to  draw  near.  AVould  to  Heaven  that 
I  could  think  so  !  Am  I  a  skeptic,  or  do  I  lack  confidence  in 
the  ability  of  the  government  and  the  courage  and  endurance 
of  the  people  ?  Yes,  I  lack  confidence.  I  would  believe  in 
some  men  if  I  could ;  but  I  cannot.  But,  since  the  country 
is  blind  to  their  faults  and  shortcomings,  should  I  complain  ? 
No! 

Sunday^  May  4. — I  think  I  am  disconcerted  this  morning. 
Have  had  an  unexpected  shock. 

The  enemy  have  evacuated  their  works.  They  did  it  well. 
It  was  a  masterly  movement, — and  we  never  thought  of  such 
a  thing  until  an  hour  since  (four  o'clock). 

Like  a  coward,  he  has  stolen  away  in  the  night.  But  he 
did  it  well,  and  I  give  him  credit  for  it.  It  was  deeply  strate- 
gic. But  the  troops  at  Cheesman's  Creek !  Ah !  I  had 
most  forgotten.  I  see  it  all ;  but  still  I  fear.  They  will  go 
up  the  river  on  their  boats ;  but  will  they  head  him  off  ? 
There  is  the  question  which  troubles  me. 

Wontus  is  a  simpleton.  He  does  nothing  but  laugh,  and 
declare  that  the  war  is  already  ended.  He  says  we  must  be 
in  at  the  death.  We  move  immediately.  Our  troops  are  in 
hot  pursuit. 

And  it  rained  ! 

I  have  read  of  the  battles  of  Waterloo,  of  Inkerman,  of 
Lowositz,  of  Rossbach,  of  Kollin,  of  Bunker  Hill,  of  Mon- 
mouth, of  Monterey,  of  Puebla,  of  Sedan,  and  countless  others, 
and  from  these  readings,  and  the  prints  I  have  gazed  upon 
with  so  much  interest,  I  painted  my  first  pictures  of  the  hor- 
rors, glories,  and  beauties  of  war. 

The  corps  had  marched  to  Williamsburg,  and  were  willing 
to  confess  that  they  had  been  most  miserably,  most  shame- 
fully, deceived.  They  looked  for  the  gallant  general,  whose 
waving  plume  and  prancing  horse  was  thought  to  be  foremost 
in  the  fniy,  but  have  been  disappointed.  True,  they  saw  him  ; 
but  he  was  such  a  miserable-looking  man,  and  his  horse  was 
so  quiet  and  submissive,  that  they  should  not  have  known 
him  had  they  not  been  so  informed.  They  have  looked  for 
M  23 


266  WOXTUS,   OR 

the  soldier  on  foot,  who  struggles  among  a  score  of  men,  with 
no  arms  save  a  broken  musket,  to  do  battle  against  a  score  of 
savage,  blood-thirsty  foes ;  but  they  haven't  seen  him  either, 
and  yet  they  have  seen  much  that  is  painful  and  heart-rend- 
ing to  behold.  All  the  blood  and  misery  was  there,  and  it 
was  easily  to  be  seen  that  Mr.  Wontus  was  seriously  disap- 
pointed in  his  first  battle.  The  pictures  from  which  he  had 
formed  his  ideas  of  a  battle-field  were  faulty. 

The  rain  fell  in  slow  and  easy,  but  drenching,  showers,  and 
as  the  drenched  and  weary  lines  filed  past  him  to  take  their 
places  where  the  fire  was  hottest  and  the  danger  most  immi- 
nent, he  fell  to  regretting  that  his  store  of  liquors  and  other 
comforts  which  he  had  intended  for  just  such  occasions  was 
gone — had  been  swallowed  by  Wilkins.  He  was  about  to 
remark  something  concerning  the  loss  of  the  stores,  when  his 
attention  was  attracted  to  Mr.  Nidd.  That  gentleman,  who 
had  been  sitting  on  a  stone  by  the  roadside,  had  got  upon  his 
feet,  and,  with  glaring  eyes,  was  scanning  a  troop  of  horsemen 
who  were  passing.  I  have  heard  of  people  "  looking  daggers"' 
at  other  people,  and  if  such  a  thing  can  be,  I  am  sure  that 
Nidd  was  "looking  daggers"  either  at  the  troop  of  horse  col- 
lectively, or  at  some  one  of  the  horsemen  individually.  En- 
tirely heedless  of  Mr.  \idd  or  his  manner,  the  troop  passed 
on,  but  it  was  not  until  they  were  obscured  from  view  by  the 
mist  and  rain  that  he  took  his  eyes  from  them. 

"  Did  you  see  that  ?"'  he  cried,  turning  to  AVontus.  '•  Did 
you  see  that  ?  The  infernal  scoundrel !  A.nd  here  we  are, 
weary  and  wet,  and  on  foot,  without  a  living  soul  to  ask  us  to 
even  take  so  much  as  a  smile,  while  that  fellow  is  mounted, 
and  riding  along  like  a  prince." 

"Why,  what?"  queried  Mr.  TVontus,  entirely  unable  to 
comprehend  the  meaning  of  his  friend's  strange  language. 
For  himself,  he  had  seen  nothing  about  the  cavalcade  more 
than  a  cluster  of  generals,  and  as  it  was  no  unusual  thing  to 
see  clusters  of  these  gentleman,  Mr.  Wontus  thought  nothing 
of  it.     He  stood  looking  at  Xidd  in  silence. 

'•Didn't  you  see  him?"  cried  Xidd,  guessing  Wontus's 
thoughts  ;  "  didn't  you  see  him  ?" 

"Who?" 

••  ^Ir.  Edward  Pason  Montcalm  Higginson."  x\nd  Nidd 
fairly  hissjd  the  name  from  between  his  teeth. 


THE   CORPS  OF  OBSERVATION.  267 

Wilkins  had  taken  refuge  behind  the  trunk  of  a  large  oak, 
which  stood  just  where  the  principal  tributary  of  King's 
Creek  is  crossed  by  the  Yorktown  road,  and  sat  with  the  tree 
between  the  foe  and  himself.  Thus  far  most  of  the  heavy 
firing  had  been  done  near  where  the  Warwick  road  enters  the 
town,  but  now  the  right  wing,  which  had  been  creeping  up 
through  tlie  wet,  tangled  grass  in  the  fields  almost  within  sight 
of  the  York  River,  commenced  to  show  itself  to  the  enemy, 
and  was  received  with  a  furious  cannonade.  It  was  just  at 
this  moment  that  Mr.  Nidd  had  undertaken  to  explain  his 
conduct  to  Wontus  more  fully,  when  a  screaming  but  "  lazy" 
shell  came  screaming  through  the  air,  and  almost  at  the  same 
moment  the  entire  corps,  without  waiting  for  a  word  of  com- 
mand, commenced  an  accelerated  march  in  the  direction  of 
Yorktown.  Troops  lined  every  road  and  by-path,  and  hun- 
dreds of  wagons  littered  the  roads.  The  mud  was  deep  and 
traveling  bad,  but  the  furious  firing  which  was  constantly 
kept  up  in  the  rear,  induced  our  hero  and  his  friends  to 
press  onward,  regardless  alike  of  the  roads  and  the  men  who 
thronged  them.  Nor  did  they  question  each  other  for  the 
seeming  haste.  I  cannot  say  that  the  corps  was  frightened, 
but  I  can  say  that,  with  the  exception  of  Mr.  Wilkins,  they 
were  disappointed.     And  it  rained. 

Yorktown  was  reached  early  in  the  evening,  and  by  that 
time  the  firing  had  nearly  ceased,  and  couriers  were  arriving, 
who  related  to  anxious  crowds  of  listeners  that  the  enemy 
would  be  held  in  his  position  for  the  night,  and  the  fight 
continued  on  the  morrow. 


CHAPTER   XXIII. 

A   NEW   CHARACTER   INTRODUCED,  AND   AN   OLD   STORY   RE- 
CALLED. 

The  morning  following  the  battle  of  Williamsburg  was 
clear  and  beautiful,  and  the  wet  leaves  and  grass  glittered  in 
the  sunlight  as  though  made  of  wax.  Wontus  and  his  party 
had  spent  the  night  in  a  hut  near  the  landing,  and,  with  the 


268  WOXTUS,  OR 

exception  of  the  recollection  of  the  thorough  ducking  they  had 
received  the  day  before,  were  in  fine  trim.  Among  the  fii>t 
Union  men  who  had  planted  their  feet  on  the  landing  at  York- 
town  after  the  evacuation  was  a  sutler,  and  through  his  instru- 
mentality, or  rather  through  his  store,  the  gentlemen  had 
been  enabled  to  refresh  themselves. 

The  army  sutler  was  a  peculiar  institution,  and  the  reason 
why  he  was  peculiar  was  because  he  had  made  up  his  mind  to 
be  peculiar  before  he  left  home.  Like  the  vulture  and  turkey- 
buzzard,  he  was  a  necessary  evil.  To  fight  was  none  of  his 
business ;  to  die  was  out  of  his  calculations — he  had  come  to 
the  army  to  live  and  fatten,  and  if  he  failed  it  was  certainly 
more  the  result  of  accident  than  intention.  The  first  principle 
in  his  business  was  to  buy  cheap  and  sell  dear,  and  he  was 
never  known  to  violate  those  principles  in  the  slightest ;  and 
he  was  always  happiest  when  others  were  most  unhappy,  and 
that  was  when  delicacies  in  the  surrounding  country  were 
scarce  and  his  stock  was  full.  He  would  sell  anything ;  his 
whole  life  appeared  to  be  a  sell  on  a  grand  scale,  and  he  was 
ever  ready  to  part  with  anything,  except  his  life,  at  the  short- 
est notice,  provided  always  that  collat^-al  of  sufficient  weight 
and  bulk  could  be  seen  withia  easy  reach.  A  clever  volume 
might  be  written  about  him,  and — but  I  must  '-On  to  Eich- 
mond." 

I  must  leave  my  readers  to  imagine  what  the  evacuated 
town  looked  like,  and  to  imagine  Mr.  Nidd  and  the  others — 
Wontus  excepted — loaded  down  with  relics.  Nor  can  I  relate 
the  adventures  of  the  gentlemen  in  search  of  the  deadly  tor- 
pedoes, which  the  foe  had  ingeniously  hidden  in  eveiy  place 
where  they  were  most  likely  to  be  found.  All  these  things  I 
must  pass  over,  and  proceed  to  state  at  once  that,  after  the 
gentlemen  had  become  thoroughly  dry  and  well  rested,  they 
took  a  retrospective  glance  over  the  scenes  and  incidents  of 
the  past  twenty- four  hours,  and  concluded  that  everything  was 
much  better  than  they  had  reason  to  expect. 

It  was  noon.  Mr.  AVontus  sat  on  the  wharf-log  at  the 
landing,  and  waited  for  the  news  to  come  which  should  tell 
him  of  the  annihilation  or  capture  o^the  entire  rebel  army  on 
the  Peninsula.  He  had  every  reason  to  expect  this,  because 
he  had  heard  from  good  authority  that  such  was  the  intention 
of  the  commander.     But  he  was  disappointed  here  again,  for 


THE    CORPS    OF    OBSERVATION.  269 

instead  of  hearing  of  the  capture  of  the  enemy,  he  heard  with 
amazement  that  he  had  quKjtly  slipped  away  from  our  hands 
in  the  night,  and  was  now  well  on  his  way  toward  the  interior. 
"  It  avails  nothing,"  cried  Wontus,  a  moment  after  he  had 
heard  the  news. 

Nidd  and  the  soldiers  standing  about  looked  at  him  in 
astonishment. 

"  No,  gentlemen ;  it  avails  nothing.  He  cannot  escape." 
"  He  has  escaped  !"  interrupted  Nidd,  dogmatically. 
"  Ah  !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  rubbing  his  hands  in  great  glee  ; 
"  you've  forgot  the  other  army,  on  the  transports,  held  back 
on  purpose  for  this  occasion.  It  has  gone  up  the  river,  and 
by  this  time  is  standing  like  a  wall  of  fire  between  the  fly- 
ing rebels  and  the  haven  of  rest." 

The  bystanders  remarked  that  Mr.  Wontus  was  correct, 
and  from  that  moment  nothing  would  suit  him  but  the  imme- 
diate departure  of  the  party  for  the  new  scene  of  action. 

"  What !  so  close  as  we  are  to  the  scene,  and  not  be  there 
when  the  final  blow  is  struck  !  Why,  Nidd,  I'm  astonished  ! 
Why,  what  would  the  people  at  home  say  if  we  were  to  leave 
just  at  the  very  moment  that  the  rebellion  is  about  to  be 
brought  to  a  close  ?     Of  course  we  will  go  !" 

This  argument  had  the  desired  effect,  and  four  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon  found  the  four  gentlemen  on  one  of  the  trans- 
ports heading  for  West  Point.  For  further  particulars,  see 
the  notes  of  Gascon  Nidd : 

[extract.] 

Tuesday,  May  6. — On  board  the  fine  steamer  C.  Vanderhilt. 
Wilkins's  cheek  secured  the  passage.  Things  comfortable. 
Whisky  in  great  abundance.  No  water.  Scenery  fine  and 
safe.  Grunboats  just  ahead  of  us,  throwing  occasional  shells 
into  the  woods  and  other  places  where  an  enemy  might  be 
lurking.  Wontus  a  fit  subject  for  lunatic  asylum.  Wilkins 
in  a  beastly  state  of  intoxication  ;  has  related  seven  chapters 
of  lies  to  the  captain  of  the  boat,  and  is  taken,  by  more  than 
half  the  people  on  the  boat,  for  the  head  of  our  party. 

Ecening. — Have  cast  anchor  among  a  number  of  other 
vessels.  Have  no  idea  where  we  are.  Have  a  place  to  sleep, 
and  will  p'oceed  to  occupy  it. 

Wednesday^  May  7. — Was  awakened  by  Wontus  at  day- 
23* 


270  WOXTUS,  OR 

break.  Went  on  shore  immediately.  Fell  in  with  lot  of  men 
boiling  meat  and  coflfee.  K;it  a  iiearty  breukfa.st  with  them. 
Is  this  West  Point?  No  point  here..  West  Point  is  just 
opposite  to  us.     Firing ! 

On  landing  from  the  transport  Mr.  Wontus  had  hastily 
partaken  of  some  of  the  strong  salt  beef  and  stronger  coffee, 
which  the  soldiers  had  kindly  volunteered  to  give  him,  and 
immediately  after  stepped  up  the  sloping,  gnissy  bank,  and 
scanned  the  country.  Before  him  lay  a  beautiful,  level  plain, 
here  and  there  dotted  with  the  white  tents  of  the  troops  who 
had  landed  the  evening  before.  On  each  side,  and  in  front, 
the  plain  was  fringed  by  a  thick  wood,  which  entirely  hid 
from  view  the  little  rivulets  which  flowed  sluggishly  along 
and  mingled  their  waters  with  those  of  the  York  on  either 
flunk  of  the  line  of  white  tents.  The  country  to  the  right 
was  level,  and  the  glittering  waters  of  the  rapid  Pamunkey 
could  be  seen  through  the  trees,  flashing  like  a  mirror  as  it 
wound  its  serpentine  course  in  the  direction  of  the  mountains 
far  beyond.  On  the  left,  and  perhaps  a  half-mile  distant  from 
the  line  of  tents,  was  a  steep  bluff  surmounted  by  a  house, 
and  beyond  that  was  the  forest,  symmetrical  and  unbroken. 

The  spot  was  one  of  surpassing  beauty,  and  Mr.  Wontus 
drank  in  the  loveliness  of  the  scene,  and  lost  all  consciousness 
of  war  and  its  attending  horrors  in  the  contemplation  of  pure, 
innocent  nature.  Ah  !  how  many  brave,  noble-minded  fellows, 
he  sighed,  whose  natures  and  education  fitted  them  for  the 
enjoyment  of  just  such  scenes  as  these,  lie  buried  beneath  the 
very  branches  which  they  looked  upon  and  carried  to  their 
hearts  as  a  solace  to  the  misery  which  war.  cruel,  inhuman 
war  had  thrown  about  them  ?     Thousands  ! 

Wontus  had  fallen  into  a  deep  reverie,  from  which  he  was 
suddenly  aroused  by  the  bang  and  clatter  of  musketry.  In  a 
breath  he  called  Nidd,  Thomson,  and  Wiikins,  and  in  a  mo- 
ment after  wondered  why  he  had  done  so. 

At  first  the  shots  were  scattering,  and  Mr.  Wontus  com- 
menced to  hope  that  it  was  a  returning  picket-party  who  were 
firing  off  their  pieces ;  but  the  soldiers  knew  better  than  that, 
and  when  the  long  lines  of  blue  commenced  moving  silently 
through  the  haze  of  early  morning  out  from  among  the  tents, 
our  hero  guessed  the  truth,  and  looked  wonderingly  at  the 
transports,  whose  decks  were  crowded  with  men,  as  they  rode 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATIOX.  271 

silently  and  bolcmnlj  at  anchor  in  niicl-rivcr.  Did  these  men 
belong  to  the  division  which  was  to  stund  like  a  wall  across 
the  path  of  the  flying  enemy,  or  were  they  reinforcements  ? 
He  had  little  or  no  knowledge  of  what  is  called  the  science 
of  war,  but  common  sense  taught  him  that  if  these  were  the 
men  who  were  to  constitute  the  wall,  it  was  time  they  were 
moving ;  he  wondered  why  they  had  not  moved  before.  Not 
having  any  positive  knowledge  of  the  exact  condition  of 
afiairs,  he  chose  to  believe  that  the  men  on  the  transports 
were  reinforcements,  and  that  the  division  which  had  been 
selected  for  the  purpose  was  already  standing  across  the  track 
of  the  retreating  foe.  It  was  a  comfortable  thought,  and  he 
enjoyed  it.  The  army  needed  a  success;  the  country  needed 
a  success  ;  and  Mr.  AVontus  felt  sure  that  the  time  had  come 
when  the  brilliant  expectations  of  months  were  to  be  realized. 

As  the  sun  rose  up  from  behind  the  trees,  the  fire,  which 
had  been  desultory  and  uncertain,  became  more  regular,  and 
volley  after  volley  broke  upon  the  air.  It  came  no  nearer, 
nor  was  it  fluther  off.  What  could  it  mean  ?  Informing 
the  others  of  his  intentions,  and  bidding  Tommy  accompany 
him,  our  hero  walked  through  the  deserted  streets  of  the 
camp  and  onward  over  the  plain  in  the  direction  of  the  firing, 
which  became  heavier  as  he  progressed.  As  he  walked, 
he  turned  and  glanced  at  the  vessels  in  the  river,  and  was  de- 
lighted with  the  fact  that  at  last  the  troops  were  disembarking 
and  coming  to  the  assistance  of  those  already  engaged  in  battle. 

In  the  centre  of  the  plain  a  barn  of  rough-hewn  logs  stood, 
like  a  huge,  grim  sentinel,  and  toward  this  structure  Mr. 
Wontus  bent  his  footsteps.  It  is  not  known  that  Wontus  was 
a  coward,  nor  is  it  known  that  he  was  a  brave  man,  except 
when  under  some  extraordinary  excitement,  but  he  wisely  se- 
lected the  strong  logs  of  the  barn  as  a  proj^er  place  for  a  corps 
of  observation  to  take  its  stand. 

The  fight  went  on,  but  nowhere  could  an  enemy  be  seen. 
For  a  time  the  lines  of  blue-coated  men  stood  immovable,  and 
then  they  moved  off  briskly  into  the  thick  woods,  only  to  be 
received  by  a  withering  fire  from  a  hidden  foe.  The  wounded 
men  were  carried  to  tlie  rear  by  the  members  of  the  regimental 
bands;  and  now,  for  the  first  time,  Mr.  Wontus  was  made  ac- 
quainted with  the  fact  that  instead  of  forming  a  wail  of  fire 
across  the  line  of  retreat  of  the  enemy,  the  enemy  had  actually 


272  WOXTUS,  OR 

placed  a  wall  before  vi^,  and  but  for  the  gunboats  would  have 
driven  us  into  the  river ;  as  it  was,  a  section  of  artillery  had 
made  its  way  to  the  bluff  on  the  extreme  left,  and  for  a  time 
threatened  the  destruction  of  the  fleet  of  transports.  The  gun- 
boats, however,  thoroughly  alive  to  the  necessities  of  the  occa- 
sion, opened  their  iron  mouths,  and  belched  such  a  shower  of 
iron  hail  upon  the  battery,  that  it  was  compelled  to  retire. 
The  battle  soon  after  ceased  by  the  withdrawal  of  the  enemy. 

Wontus  had  been  so  deeply  absorbed  in  the  workings  of  a 
battery  planted  near  the  barn,  that  it  was  not  until  he  heard  a 
particular  name  mentioned  that  he  cast  his  eyes  over  the 
wounded  men  who  were  lying  spread  upon  the  ground  in  the 
shade  of  its  shelter, 

"  Are  you  hurt  bad,  colonel  ?"  asked  a  poor  fellow  who  was 
sitting  near,  binding  up  a  wound  in  his  ankle. 

There  was  no  answer, 

"  Who  is  he?"  asked  one  of  the  musicians,  who  had  been 
diligently  engaged  carrying  water  to  the  wounded.  "  Who  is 
he?" 

"  Colonel  Blakely, — Colonel  Lathrop  Blakely,  of  the  — th 
Ohio.  He  came  up  in  the  night,  and  when  the  fight  commenced 
to  be  pretty  brisk,  got  a  lot  of  men  together  and  led  them  mto 
that  hell-trap  there  by  the  fence.  They  thought  it  was  smart 
to  lay  in  the  brush  behind  them  rails,  but  it  weren't ;  anybody 
could  do  that  that  was  coward  enough  to  think  of  it." 

''  I  don't  think  he's  hurt  badly,"  remarked  the  surgeon,  who 
was  examining  the  colonel ;  "  only  faint  from  loss  of  blood  ; 
no  bones  appear  to  be  broken." 

"  Doctor,"  remarked  the  soldier  with  the  wounded  ankle, 
mixing  up  his  own  troubles  with  the  solicitude  he  felt  for 
another,  "  I  hope  he  ain't  hurt  much — this  confounded  thing 
bleeds  so — good  men  are  scarce,  you  know — I  can't  stop  the 
thunderin'  bleeding — he  comes  from  the  same  town  I  do — see 
here,  ain't  you  got  one  of  them  turneykets  with  you  ? — where's 
he  hit,  anyhow  ?  I  saw  one  of  them  Mississippi  fellers  go  for 
him — I  had  it  pretty  well  tied,  darn  it,  look  at  that ! — I  seen 
him  fall,  too,  but  I  got  this  feller  about  that  time,  and  I  don't 
know  whether  he  was  stuck  with  a  knife  or  hit  with  a  bullet 
— see  here,  doc,  this  thing  won't  amount  to  much,  will  it?" 
And  thus  the  soldier  carried  on  a  conversation  which  might 
be  called  a  double  one,  since  it  was  an  odd  mixture,  partially 


THE   CORPS  OF   OnSERVATIOX.  273 

addressed  to  the  surgeon  and  partially  to  the  wound  in  his 
ankle. 

"  What  do  you  mean  by  saying  that  you  don't  know  w^hether 
he  was  stuck  with  a  knife  or  not?"  queried  the  surgeon. 

"  See  here ;  just  fix  this  thing  a  little,  will  you,  doctor?  It 
don't  hurt  so  thuuderin'  much,  but  it  spouts  blood  like  a  stuck 
whale."  And  the  soldier  ground  his  clinched  teeth  more  in 
anger  than  in  pain. 

The  surgeon  ordered  Colonel  Blakely  to  be  conveyed  to  the 
hospital,  and  then  turned  his  attention  to  the  soldier.  Mr. 
Wontus  felt  inclined  to  follow  Blakely,  but  a  desire  to  hear 
the  soldier's  story  held  him  back. 

"You  see,"  said  the  soldier,  supporting  his  wounded  leg 
with  his  hands,  "  a  lot  of  us  fellers  were  separated  from  the 
regiment,  and  when  Colonel  Blakely  come  along  and  asked  us 
if  we'd  follow  him,  why,  we  just  went  right  in.  Some  of  the 
New  York  and  Pennsylvaney  boys  who  had  just  come  out  told 
us  we'd  better  stay  out,  but  the  colonel  went  on  and  we  followed. 
We'd  just  got  in  the  middle  of  that  swamp  over  there,  when, 
thunder  and  lightnin',  how  they  did  pour  it  into  us !  Of 
course  we  broke,  and  when  I  looked  around  I  noticed  Colonel 
Blakely,  who  was  on  foot,  had  stuck  in  the  swamp, — got  mired ; 
and  just  at  the  same  time  I  saw  one  of  the  ugly  devils  jump 
over  the  fence,  with  a  big  knife  in  his  hand,  and  make  for  him. 
That's  all  I  saw,  for,  pink  !  and  down  I  goes  myself  with  this 
feller.    You  don't  think  it  will  amount  to  much,  do  you,  doctor?" 

The  surgeon  said  he  did  not  think  the  wound  dangerous,  and 
then  turning  to  Wontus,  remarked  :  "  I  noticed  that  the  officer's 
wound  was  rather  a  peculiar  one,  and  I  guess  that  there  is  no 
doubt  but  that  it  was  done  with  a  knife." 

"  Is  the  wound  serious?"  asked  Wontus,  anxiously. 

"  There  is  a  large  incision  immediately  in  the  rear  and  be- 
low the  left  arm,  but  as  yet  I  am  unable  to  tell  its  exact  extent." 
As  the  surgeon  spoke  he  moved  off  toward  the  hospital,  and 
AVontus  at  once  commenced  rendering  such  assistance  as  was 
in  his  power  to  the  men  about  him.  At  length  the  last  one 
was  spread  upon  a  stretcher  and  carried  away.  Mr.  Wontus 
and  Tommy  were  alone. 

"  Tommy,"  remarked  Mr.  Wontus,  after  a  time,  "  do  I  know 
anybody  by  the  name  of  Blakely, — Colonel  Blakely  ?" 

"  Maybe  you  do,  sir." 


274  WO\TUS,  OR 

"  Yes,  yes,  T  know  !  I  must  certainly  know  somebody  by 
that  name.     I  thouuht  so  the  moment  I  heard  it." 

"  Met  'em  sdraewheres?'  remarked  Thomson,  suggestively. 

"  For  the  life  of  me  I  can't  t<?lV  remarked  Wontus ;  "  and 
yet  it  must  be  so."  And  he  looked  upon  the  ground  and  com- 
menced scratching  his  head  as  is  customary  on  such  occasions. 

"  Tommy,"  he  remarked,  after  a  long  pause,  "  come,  we  must 
go  !"  And  he  started  toward  the  river  as  he  spoke.  "  Just  run 
over  a  few  of  the  names  of  the  people  that  I  know,  Thomas ; 
perhaps  I  may  recollect." 

"Gascon  Nidd?"  commenced  Thomas. 

"  No,  no  !  some  of  the  names  of  people  that  I  am  not  familiar 
with." 

"Wilkins?" 

"  Xo,  no !  but  go  on."    Mr.  Wontus  spoke  as  if  in  desperation. 

"Me?" 

"No." 

"Diddler?" 

"  No." 

"  None  of  them  ?" 

"  No."  And  Thomas  Thomson  now  commenced  to  scratch 
his  head. 

"Go  on !"  commanded  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  Major  Flick  ?" 

"  That's  it !  that's  it !"  almost  shouted  Wontus.  "  I've  got 
it !  Oh,  yes.  Flick.  Now  I  see ;  3Irs.  Flick, — you  recollect, 
Tommy,  the  sick  woman  in  AVashington.  Yes,  this  is  the  man. 
I  thought  I  heard  the  name  somewhere,  now  I  know  all  about 
it.  He's  the  gentleman  that  they  tarred  and  feathered  in  Ala- 
bama ;  the  very  man.  I  wonder  what  she'd  say  now  if  she 
was  here.  She'd  pity  him,  I  know  she  would.  She  loved  him 
once  ;  she  said  she  did.  I  wonder  if  he  loves  her?"  As  he 
spoke  these  words  a  shadow  came  over  his  face,  but  it  was  gone 
in  a  moment,  and  he  continued  talking  thus  to  himself  until 
he  found  Nidd  and  Wilkins  eating  oysters,  which  the  latter 
had  fished  from  the  plentiful  supply  at  hand  on  the  shoal-banks 
of  the  river. 

Neither  Nidd  nor  Wilkins  appeared  to  be  at  all  disturbed 
by  Mr.  Wontus's  graphic  account  of  the  fight,  and  it  was  only 
the  feast  of  bivalves  that  was  spread  befi)re  him  that  prevented 
him  from  becoming  angry,  and  consequently  disagreeable. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  275 

Eating  does  much  toward  assuaging  the  angry  passions,  and 
on  this  occasion  Mr.  Wontus  had  scarcely  partaken,  when  his 
tongue  was  let  loose  again,  and  he  related  to  the  priviite  ear  of 
Mr.  Nidd  all  about  the  wounded  officer  and  his  knowledge  of 
him.  Nidd  listened  patiently,  and  at  the  conclusion  remarked 
that  it  was  a  singular  coincidence,  and  then  went  on  with  his 
eating,  as  before. 

During  the  remainder  of  the  day  there  was  peace  and  quiet- 
ness in  the  camp,  and  Mr.  Wontus  wandered  about  among  the 
hospital  tents,  and  sympathized  with  the  wounded.  He  was 
grieved  that  he  could  do  no  more.  He  had  sought  for  Colonel 
Blakely  among  the  wounded,  but  he  was  not  there.  He  had 
been  removed  to  one  of  the  transports  lying  out  in  the  river. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


AND    IT    RAINED — THE    ARMY    3I0VES    ONWARD,    AND     THE 
CORPS    WITNESSES    A   DISTRESSING    SIGHT. 

Mr.  Wontus' s  assiduous  attention  to  the  sick  and  wounded 
now  brought  him  to  the  attention  of  the  surgeons,  and  through 
these  kind-hearted  gentlemen  (to  whom  he  had  related  the  un- 
fortunate loss  of  the  stores  which  he  had  intended  for  the  sick 
and  wounded)  the  quartette  was  provided  with  quarters  in 
one  of  the  unused  hospital  tents.  During  the  evening  he  was 
introduced  to  quite  a  number  of  officers,  and  in  listening  to 
one  of  Mr.  AVilkins's  narratives,  in  which  Wilkins  was  the 
central  figure,  and  in  which  he  drew  a  line  of  similitude  to 
many  of  the  exploits  performed  by  difi'erent  parties  on  the 
present  occasion,  Mr.  Wontus  forgot  the  miseries  of  the  day 
and  fell  asleep. 

Again  it  becomes  necessary  to  recur  to  Mr.  Nidd's  private 
journal. 

[extract.] 

Thursday,  May  8. — Weather  delightful.  All  expected  to 
be  made  sick  by  sleeping  on  the  ground.  Everybody  feels 
splendid.    Gunboats  went  up  the  Pamunkey  (handsome  name) 


n* 


276  woxrus,  OR 

Kiver  this  morning  on  reconnoitGring  exjx^dition  ;  went  alnn 
Fired  into  things  generally.    Saw  some  of  the  infernal  luflatus 
this  evening  ;  cut  them. 

Friday^  May  9. — Preparations  for  march.  Everything 
slow,  easy,  and  pleasant. 

Evening. — Eltham  Farm;  marched  here  this  afternoon. 
Only  a  step  from  the  other  camp.  Splendid  place.  Took  a 
good  look  at  the  army  to-day.  Very  large  crowd  of  men. 
Each  regiment  has  a  band  of  music.  Each  company  has  a 
wagon.  Each  regiment  has  from  ten  to  thirteen  wagons. 
Each  company  has  its  tents.  Each  tent  has  its  complement 
of  men, — six  men  to  a  tent.  Each  tent  resembles  its  neighbor 
so  much  that  I  find  it  troublesome  to  tell  where  I  live — if  I 
can  call  this  living — if  I  turn  around  twice. 

Saturday.,  May  10. — Everything  quiet  to-day.  Com- 
mander was  here  this  afternoon.  Looked  splendid,  and  boys 
cheered  him. 

Sunday.  May  11. — Another  move  to-day. 

Evening. — Jones's  Farm.  Have  left  the  river,  and  will 
take  the  inland  road  in  future. 

Monday,  May  12. — The  whole  army  collecting  here.  Gffand 
sight ;  but  nothing  of  importance,  that  I  can  see,  going  on. 

Tuesday.  May  13. — Cumberland.  Beautiful  place.  Marched 
here  this  morning. 

Evening. — Great  excitement.  Attack  on  wagon  train.  No 
tents.  A^ery  warm.  Sleep  in  plowed  field.  Wontus  with 
the  surgeons.     Wilkins  missing.     Good  thing. 

P.  S. — "Wilkins  is  here.  lias  killed  a  hundred  men,  ac- 
cording to  his  account ! 

And  it  rained.  There  is  probably  no  situation  in  life  which 
can  be  compared,  in  the  remotest  sense,  to  a  day  of  rain  in  an 
army  without  shelter.  It  is  at  once  painfully  distressing,  dis- 
gusting, horrible,  and  disheartening.  Such,  in  fact,  is  my  faith 
in  the  influence  of  a  slow,  steady  rain,  that  I  feel  that  any 
army  which  jrtresses  an  attack  under  the  auspices  of  Jupiter 
Pluvius  must  of  a  necessity  be  worsted,  if  the  fight  is  any- 
where near  equal.  And  this  is  the  way  Mr.  Wontus  felt. 
"What  sleep  he  had  taken  the  night  before  was  on  the  bare 
ground,  without  so  much  as  a  handkerchief  to  cover  and  pro- 
tect him  from  the  blinding  dust  which  always  accompanied  the 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  277 

army  in  dry  weather.  This  being  the  case,  he  was  glad  when 
he  saw  the  clouds  gathering ;  but  when  the  rain  came  he  com- 
plained about  it,  and  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  the  bitter  language 
of  Nidd  and  the  others. 

With  the  close  of  the  day,  and  after  everybody  wiis  soaking 
wet,  the  surgeons  secured  a  tent,  and  into  this  solitary  shelter 
the  gentlemen  crowded.  I  verily  believe  that  Wontus  himself 
would  have  been  inclined  to  fight  had  there  been  a  disposition 
shown  by  anybody  to  deny  him  entrance.  In  course  of  time  a 
fire  was  kindled  in  front  of  the  tent,  and  I  must  draw  a  veil 
over  the  picture  presented  by  the  party  as  they  sat  there  dry- 
ing their  clothes. 

At  the  hour  of  three  a.m.  the  army  was  again  in  motion. 
The  flood-gates  of  heaven  seemed  to  have  opened,  and  with 
the  dawn  of  day  the  rain  poured  down  as  if  the  clerk  of  the 
weather  thought  that  all  mankind  had  been  transformed  into 
turtles,  and  that  water,  and  plenty  of  it,  was  necessary  to  their 
existence.  Weary,  hungry,  and  wet,  the  soldiers  plodded 
along,  the  Wontus  Corps  of  Observation  among  them.  Scarcely 
a  word  was  said  by  anybody.  Even  the  horses  appeared  dis- 
gusted, and  hung  their  heads  lower  and  lower,  as  the  march 
progressed.  The  infantry  had  made  a  way  for  themselves 
through  the  fields,  while  the  artillery  and  wagons  kept  the 
road.  It  was  nearly  noon  when  the  advance  columns  came 
out  from  the  woods  upon  the  beautiful  plains  of  the  W^hite 
House.  Luxuriant  grass,  heavy  and  sparkling  with  the  drops 
of  rain,  was  waving  in  the  wind.  Farther  on  was  a  neat, 
white  cottage,  with  its  cluster  of  "  quarters,"  and  beyond  that 
were  the  waters  of  the  Pamunkey. 

Mr.  Wontus  saw  the  waving  grass,  the  cottage,  and  the 
river  ;  but  they  moved  him  not.  His  spirits  had  been  crushed 
by  the  rain,  and  he  was  ready  to  yield  up  the  ghost  without  a 
murmur.  The  savagery  which  had  beamed  upon  Nidd's  face 
disappeared  with  the  sight  of  civilization,  and  Wilkins  became 
actually  merry.  Tommy  was  accustomed  to  follow  the  moods 
of  his  master,  and  the  party  trudged  on.  At  last  the  camp- 
ing-ground was  reached.  It  was  on  the  high  banks  of  the 
river,  and  near  the  cosy,  comfortable  cottage.  The  regiments 
were  assigned  their  ground  ;  the  arms  were  stacked ;  and  then 
came  the  waiting  for  the  baggage. 

And  it  rained. 

24 


273  woyTus,  OR 

Fires  were  built,  only  to  be  squelched  out  by  the  rain,  and 
thvi  men  stood  about  with  their  ponchos  pulled  closely  around 
them.  They  were  waiting  for  food  and  shelter.  The  sur- 
geons and  our  friends  had  waited  with  the  others,  and  their 
patience  was  nearly  exhausted,  when  Mr.  Nidd  proposed  and 
urged  that  they  take  shelter  in  one  of  the  outhouses  which 
surrounded  the  cottage.  AVhy  not?  Once  proposed,  it 
needed  but  little  argument  to  move  the  gentlemen,  and  they 
proceeded  at  once  to  put  the  proposition  into  execution.  Mr. 
Nidd  had  inquired  as  to  who  the  owner  of  the  house  was,  and 
on  ascertaining  that  he  was  one  of  the  most  bitter  and  unre- 
lenting foes  of  the  government,  he  insisted  that  the  cottage 
itself  was  the  only  place  suitable  for  a  corps  of  observation. 
He  took  the  lead  himself,  and  would  have  unceremoniously 
entered  the  yard,  but  a  guard  was  there  who  warned  him 
back.     Mr.  Nidd  could  scarcely  believe  his  eyes. 

Had  it  not  been  for  our  friend's  experience  with  the  same 
sort  of  a  man  at  Fortress  Monroe,  it  is  probable  that  there 
would  at  least  have  been  some  questions  asked  ;  but  with  this 
experience  before  him  Mr.  Nidd's  countenance  fell,  and  he 
turned  away.  Next  the  slave  quarters  were  visited  ;  a  guard 
was  there.  The  same  at  the  barn,  the  corn-crib,  the  wagon- 
house,  the  cooper-shop,  the  pig-sty ;  everywhere  that  shelter 
might  be  had  from  the  pelting  storm  a  blue-coated  guard,  with 
bayonet  fixed  and  visage  grim,  made  to  his  suffering  comrades 
the  same  reply,  "  Ye  cannot  enter  here  !"  and  then  mutter- 
iugly  cursed  the  inexorable  law  that  bid  him  say  it. 

With  the  surgeons  the  condition  of  affairs  was  understood ; 
with  "Woutus  it  was  incomprehensible ;  with  Nidd  it  was 
damnable,  and  when  out  of  the  hearing  of  the  guard  he  de- 
nounced it  in  unmeasured  terms. 

''What!"  said  he,  "is  this  the  way  the  men  who  have 
been  reared  by  the  hands  of  the  government,  and  who  are 
now  seeking  her  heart's  blood,  are  treated?  The  man  is  an 
ass — a  knave — who  enforces  it,  and  were  he  here  I'd  tell  him 
so.  Justitia  virtutum  regina^  as  the  lawyers  say.  Let  us  be 
just  to  ourselves  before  we  are  generous.  The  man  who  is 
not  is  a " 

"  Hush !"  commanded  one  of  the  surgeons.  "  We  can't 
allow  you  to  go  on  in  that  way,  sir." 

"  You  can't?"  cried  Nidd,  bitterly.     "  Better  by  for  if  you 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  279 

would  not  allow  some  other  things  to  go  on  in  the  way  they 
are  going." 

Further  remark  by  IMr.  Nidd  was  cut  short  by  Wontus 
clinging  to  his  arm,  and  begging  him  in  a  whisper  to  be 
quiet.  Nidd  consented  most  unwillingly,  and  the  party  re- 
turned to  the  river-bank  and  sought  the  shelter  of  the  trees. 

And  it  rained. 

The  night  was  coming  on  apace,  and  long  lines  of  troops 
kept  pouring  on  to  the  plain,  but  as  yet  not  a  baggage-wagon 
made  its  appearance.     They  were  stuck  fast  in  the  mud. 

The  gunboats  and  a  schooner  lay  at  anchor  in  the  river, 
and  as  night  threw  her  gloomy  mantle  over  the  plain  an  un- 
disguised feeling  of  despondency  pervaded  all  circles. 

Not  being  familiar  with  the  uses  and  consequent  abuses  of 
many  medicines,  I  am  unable  to  state  or  even  give  an  opinion 
concerning  the  effectiveness  of  whisky,  except  as  a  disturbing 
element,  when  taken  in  large  and  frequent  doses.  But  it  was 
the  practice  in  the  army  to  administer  doses  of  the  medicine 
to  the  men,  and  therefore  I  suppose  it  is  both  proper  and 
highly  efficacious. 

With  an  ease  that  was  really  astonishing,  and  with  a  copi- 
ousness that  was  certainly  wonderful,  the  rain  poured  down. 
The  troops  had  assembled  in  their  company  streets,  and  stood 
huddled  together  like  sheep.  But  few  fires  would  burn,  and 
there  was  little  or  no  fuel.  There  were  the  fences,  but»wlio 
dared  touch  a  rail  ?  Not  a  man  !  and  as  the  bleak  evening 
wind  came  rushing  up  the  river,  the  men  stood  and  shivered. 
Still,  no  wagons.  "What  can  we  do?"  the  officers  asked  of 
each  other.  Noon  had  passed  dinnerless,  and  night  had  come, 
and  yet  nothing  to  eat.  Nidd  had  secured  a  gigantic  rooster 
somewhere,  nobody  knew  where  or  how,  and  he  stood  there, 
defiantly  holding  it  in  ful-l  view  of  all. 

As  time  passed,  results  of  different  descriptions  were  brought 
about  in  a  way  which,  to  the  eyes  of  Mr.  Wontus,  were  very 
mysterious.  He  had  been  looking  down  the  river-banks,  and 
noticed  that  a  number  of  men  were  engaged  at  something  on 
the  deck  of  the  schooner ;  but  it  was  not  until  he  saw  men 
with  canteens,  pots,  and  kettles  passing  and  repassing  him, 
that  he  understood  that  a  ration  of  whisky  was  being  issued  ; 
first,  because  it  was  "  regular,"  and  second,  because  there  was 
nothing  else.     Eagerly  the  troops  waited  for  the  ration.     Two 


280  WOXTUS,  OR 

camp-kcttlefuls  were  to  be  issued  to  each  company,  but  it 
required  no  great  amount  of  strategy  for  a  company  to  receive 
a  duplicated  quantity. 

It  was  not  necessary  for  a  man  to  see  or  be  informed  tliat 
the  ration  had  been  issued  for  him  to  know  that  it  had  been, 
for  it  soon  spoke  for  itself.  Twenty  thousand  men  thrtnged 
about  their  quartermasters,  and  of  that  number,  perhaps,  nine- 
teuths  quaffed  the  "  quarrelsome  broth."  Of  these,  some  did 
it  because  it  had  been  the  custom  of  their  lives,  others  because 
they  had  an  appetite  for  it,  and  the  remainder  out  of  i)ure 
desperation,  fostered  by  a  desire  to  be  oblivious  to  passing  ills. 

And  it  rained. 

It  was  now  dark, — black,  pitchy  dark, — and  the  few  camp- 
fires  that  were  burning  seemed  but  to  make  the  night  look 
darker  and  more  dismal.  For  fully  an  hour  the  tide  of  sol- 
diers had  been  carrying  the  liquor  by  the  spot  where  our 
friends  were  standing.  A  few  jokes  and  suppressed  laughter 
were  as  yet  the  only  effects  of  the  stimulant ;  but  ere  long  the 
jokes  became  broader,  the  laughter  louder,  and  everything 
much  enlivened. 

Where  all  had  been  quiet  before,  the  song  was  now  heard, 
and  in  many  of  the  streets  bearded,  savage-looking  fellows 
played  the  part  of  the  fairer  sex.  and  whirled  each  other  over 
the  tangled  grass  in  the  mazes  of  the  waltz.  As  they  passed 
and, repassed  between  ]Mr.  Woutus  and  the  fires,  the  dull  blaze 
cast  a  glare  over  their  excited  faces,  and  made  the  imagination 
conjure  them  into  some  terrible  ogres  who  had  come  to  make 
merry  at  the  misery  which  surrounded  them.  The  songs  soon 
gave  place  to  cat-calls,  and  these  were  followed  by  yells  of  the 
most  unearthly  character,  which  rang  from  one  end  of  the  vast 
plain  to  the  other.  Jollity  and  good  humor  prevailed  on  all 
sides,  and  the  officers,  glad  to  rest  from  the  torment  of  men 
whose  wants  could  not  be  gratified,  sought  the  shelter  of  the 
trees  and  sipped  their  rations  in  silence. 

It  was  a  pleasant  change  from  the  gloom  of  an  hour  before, 
but  the  end  was  not  yet,  and  as  Mr.  Wontus  and  his  friends 
walked  through  the  camp  other  sounds  than  those  of  joy 
greeted  their  ears.  The  heated  words  of  men  quarreling 
could  be  distinctly  heard,  and  ere  the  gentlemen  had  fairly 
returned  to  their  old  position  on  the  river-bank,  a  sullen  roar 
of  angry  voices  came  up  from  one  of  the  more  distant  camps, 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  281 

and  in  a  moment  the  cry  of  "  Figlit !"  "  fight !"  went  rolling 
over  the  waters  of  the  river,  and  echoed  again  and  again 
among  hills  and  woods  beyond.  It  was  a  common  cry,  and 
the  officers  had  heard  it  many  times  before,  but  now  it  seemed 
to  have  a  startling  significance.  Belts  were  tightened,  and 
nervous  hands  grasped  their  swords.  But  whither  were  they 
to  turn,  or  who  would  respect  their  authority  now?  Crowds 
of  swaggering,  swearing  men  pushed  by.  all  eager  for  the 
combat.  Now  a  yell  for  some  peculiar  institution  of  their 
native  city  would  rend  the  air,  and  then  again  would  come  the 
sullen  roar  of  the  fighting  mob.  Now  the  sharp  crack  of 
muskets  was  heard  ;  something  must  be  done.  Regiments 
fresh  from  the  road  came  pouring  in,  and  halted  in  amazement 
as  they  heard  the  sounds.  Horsemen  dashed  here  and  there, 
and  amid  the  noise  and  excitement  Mr.  Wontus  declared  that 
it  was  pandemonium,  and  asked  to  be  led  to  a  place  of  safety ; 
but  ere  his  request  could  be  acceded  to,  a  brigade  of  fresh 
men  came  marching  among  the  rioters,  and  the  noise  and  con- 
fusion soon  after  died  away.  All  night  long  the  wet  and 
weary  troops  were  marching  into  the  camp  to  find  repose  and 
refreshment  in  the  pools  of  water  which  surrounded  them. 
But  such  is  the  soldier's  life  in  the  field,  and  it  came  only  to 
be  forgotten. 

As  Wontus  doubled  himself  up  on  the  wet  grass  at  a  late 
hour,  he  mentally  vowed  that  if  it  was  his  good  fortune  to 
live  through  the  night  the  army  would  lose  at  least  one  man 
in  the  morning,  and  that  man  would  be  himself  Wilkins 
was  among  the  missing,  but  Nidd  was  there,  and  if  the  weather 
was  bad  the  conveyancer  was  correspondingly  disagreeable, 
and  he  clung  to  his  chicken  as  though  his  very  life  depended 
upon  it. 

But  little  sleeping  was  done  by  anybody  that  night,  and 
the  gentlemen  were  astir  at  the  peep  of  day.  The  rain  had 
ceased,  but  the  atmosphere  was  hazy  and  warm, 

"  I  leave  here  to-day  !"  remarked  Mr.  Wontus,  as  he  looked 
at  the  clouds  and  then  at  his  own  wet  extremities. 

"  You  do  ?"  cried  Nidd,  grasping  his  fowl  more  tightly,  and 
speaking  with  more  than  his  usual  excitement. 

"  I  do  !"  replied  Wontus,  decidedly.  And  then  he  spread  his 
plans  before  Nidd  and  Tommy.  He  would  leave  after  a 
mouthful  of  breakfast,  and  would  return  to  Washington. 

2i* 


282  wo  XT  US,  OR 

"  How  do  you  propose  to  go?"  asked  one  of  the  surgeons, 
as  Mr.  "SVontus  unfolded  his  plans  over  a  cup  of  coffee. 

'•  Take  a  boat,"  cried  Nidd. 

The  gentlemen  shook  hands  warmly,  and  although  Mr. 
Wilkins  was  still  absent,  bid  the  surgeons  good-by,  and  made 
their  way  to  the  landing.  Vessels  were  now  there  in  abund- 
ance, but  neither  love  nor  money  could  induce  them  to  carry 
a  passenger,  and  after  many  vain  attempts  the  departure  was 
postponed  for  another  day. 

Finely  situated  for  the  encampment  of  an  army,  the  view 
presented  at  the  White  House  was  one  of  unqualitied  beauty. 
Receding  from  the  river,  and  high  above  it,  a  level  plain,  cov- 
ered with  luxuriant  grass,  stretched  back  nearly  a  mile,  and 
terminated  in  a  gentle  acclivity.  Fine  springs  existed  on 
every  side,  and  the  neighboring  fields  afforded  abundant  rich 
pasturage  for  the  cattle.  The  infantry  and  artillery  lay  on  the 
plain,  while  the  cavalry  occupied  the  hill-side. 

By  noon  on  the  day  following  the  season  of  rain,  the  troops 
were  in  the  places  assigned  to  them,  and  when  the  bright  sun 
came  out  the  scene  was  so  enchanting  that  Mr.  Wontns  would 
have  been  loth  to  leave  had  the  op})ortunity  presented.  Dur- 
ing the  day  he  exerted  his  most  persuasive  talent  to  induce 
Mr.  Nidd  to  either  kill  the  fowl,  which  he  guarded  with  so 
much  jealous  care,  or  to  deposit  it  in  some  safe  place.  But 
Nidd  would  listen  to  neither  proposition. 

'•  Here  comes  the  two  old  cocks,"  cried  a  fticetious  soldier, 
as  the  gentlemen  were  wandering  about  the  grounds. 

'-  There  !"'  cried  Mr.  Wontus.  "do  you  hear  that?" 

"  Sir,"  returned  Nidd,  elevating  his  head  and  speaking  with 
great  digni^:y,  •'  I  do  hear  it ;  but  I  have  heard  other  things 
in  my  life  which  I  paid  no  attention  to.     So  I  treat  this." 

"  But  you  hold  us  up  to  the  ridicule  of  the  whole  arm}^," 
returned  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  Sir,  I  paid  one  dollar  in  good  silver  money  for  this  bird, 
and  I  intend  keeping  it  until  it  suits  me. to  do  something  else 
with  it." 

Here  the  conversation  dropped,  and  the  arrival  of  Benjamin 
Wilkins,  who  had  a  lengthy  tale  of  experiences  to  tell,  changed 
the  subject,  and  the  corps  of  observation  accepted  the  situ- 
ation and  set  about  makina-  itself  comfortable. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  283 


CHAPTP]R    XXV. 

THE     CORPS     BECOMES      EQUESTRIAN — WONTUS     EXERCISES 

HIS    FAMILY  STEED  AND  BECOMES  EXERCISED  HIMSELF 

THE    EMBALMING    PROCESS,  BY    B.  WILKINS,  ETC. 

I  HAVE  seen  men  in  that  peculiar  condition  called  glorious, 
and  I  therefore  consider  it  perfectly  proper  for  me  to  say  that 
Mr.  Benjamin  AVilkins  was  in  a  glorious  condition  during  the 
time  that  the  party  remained  at  the  White  House.  The  army 
concentrated  at  this  point,  and  Benjamin  found  many  con- 
genial companions  among  its  ranks.  As  a  member  of  a  corps 
of  observation,  which  connection  ^Ir.  Wilkins  made  free  use 
of  when  speaking  of  himself, — his  importance  and  knowledge, 
always  great,  were  now  simply  tremendous. 

By  the  advice  of  some  of  his  acquaintances,  Mr.  Wontus 
had  secured  a  new  outfit  for  the  party,  and  Nidd  and  himself 
were  each  the  owner  of  what  he  called  nice  family  horses  ; 
that  is,  they  were  warranted  to  be  gentle  in  harness,  and  per- 
fectly sound.  (All  army  horses  answer  this  description.)  A 
desire  to  economize  had  provided  Messrs.  Thomson  and  Wil- 
kin s  with  a  pair  of  those  docile,  obedient,  and  generous  little 
animals  called  by  ]Mr.  Thomson  me-ules,  and  the  corps  be- 
came equestrian.  Neither  Mr.  Wontus,  Mr.  Nidd,  or  Thomas 
Thomson  had  ever  bestrode  an  animal  in  their  lives,  and  either 
one  of  them  knew  quite  as  much  about  flying  as  they  did 
about  riding  a  saddle-horse.  AVith  Wilkins  the  case  was  dif- 
ferent. As  "  a  man  of  the  world,"  he  had  had  unlimited 
experience  in  riding,  and  was  master  of  the  art.  He  would 
teach  the  others. 

The  weather  was  now  clear  and  beautiful ;  and  the  pleas- 
urable excitement  attending  the  concentration  of  the  army, 
together  with  the  positive  knowledge  that  the  enemy  had 
taken  himself  to  his  intrenchments  about  Richmond,  over 
twenty  miles  away,  gave  to  our  friends  such  a  comfortable 
feeling,  that  Wontus  declared  his  intention  to  remain  awhile 
longer,  and  soon  after  forgot  that  he  had  ever  entertained  the 
idea  of  leavins:. 


284  WOXTUS,  OR 

Yesterday  the  fields,  hills,  and  vales  were  reveling  in  the 
quiet  beauty  of  nature.  No  sound  save  the  warble  of  the 
bob-o'-link  broke  the  peace  and  stillness  of  the  air.  No  living 
thing  save  the  wild  animals  of  the  forest  pressed  the  sod 
where  to-day  a  hundred  thousand  men,  with  all  the  para- 
phernalia of  war,  make  the  welkin  ring  with  their  shouts. 
The  miseries  of  the  march  were  forgotten  in  the  season  of 
rest.  The  past  was  a  fast-fading  panorama,  in  which  the 
bright  features  were  treasured  in  the  memory,  while  the  dark 
ones  were  passed  over  and  buried  in  oblivion.  Yesterday  but 
a  solitary  home  broke  the  view ;  to-day  a  city  swarming  with 
people,  with  regular  streets  and  rows  of  canvas  houses,  fills  the 
plain.  The  sutler,  with  his  mixed  mass  of  stores,  has  come, 
and  from  early  morn  until  "  taps"  at  night  his  mart  is 
crowded  with  anxious  buyers,  who  seek  for  goods  without 
questioning  the  price.  And  all  this  shall  fade  and  pass  away 
as  quickly  as  it  came,  and  ''  leave  not  a  wrack  behind." 

'•  How  strange  !  How  wonderful  it  is  !"  soliloquized  Mr. 
Wontus,  as  he  and  Mr.  Nidd  stood  and  gazed  down  upon  the 
lively  scene  before  them. 

''  There  goes  the  cavalry,"  remarked  Nidd.  suddenly,  with- 
out appearing  to  notice  the  sentimental  humor  of  his  friend. 
"  Now.  where  do  you  suppose  they  are  going  ?" 

Mr.  Wontus,  of  course,  could  not  answer  the  question,  and  as 
he  watched  the  long,  moving  line,  as  it  crossed  the  railroad  and 
moved  ofi"  around  the  hill,  his  eyes  grew  bright,  and  ere  Mr. 
Nidd  was  aware  of  it  the  short  legs  of  his  friend  were  carry- 
ing the  body  which  they  belonged  to  down  the  hill  at  a  won- 
derful rate  of  speed.  As  he  neared  the  camp  he  called  lustily 
for  AVilkins,  and  when  that  gentleman  made  his  appearance, 
commanded  him  to  saddle  his  horse  without  delay. 

"  Gear  him  up  !"  cried  our  hero  ;  "  the  cavalry  are  going 
out  on  an  expedition,  and  I  shall  accompany  them." 

The  bystanders  looked  on  in  amazement  as  Mr.  Wontus 
stuff"ed  his  pantaloons  into  the  red  legs  of  his  new  boots,  and 
buttoned  up  his  coat  preparatory  to  mounting.  The  horse 
was  "  geared  up"  after  a  time,  but  not  by  ^Ir.  Wilkins.  for 
the  moment  that  gentleman  noticed  the  restless  condition  of 
the  "  family  animal,"  he  found  important  business  elsewhere, 
and  handed  the  quadniped  over  to  the  hands  of  the  doctor's 
servant. 


THE  CORPS  OF  onsEnvATwy.  285 

"  Whevr !  look  out,  dur !"  wlioutod  the  servant,  as  with  head 
and  tail  erect  the  horse  manifested  his  dislike  for  the  jirocess 
of  "gearing  up."  "Look  out,  dar,  ye  'fernal  bis-scrcant !" 
repeated  the  negro  ;  "  de  gen'man  dun  gone  an'  took  de  starch 
out  ye  d'rectly,  I'll  bet  ye."  And  following  this  speech,  Sam, 
the  doctor's  boy,  rolled  his  luminous  eyes  in  their  sockets,  and 
cast  peculiar  glances  at  Mr.  Wontus. 

By  the  time  Mr.  AVontus  was  ready  to  mount,  Nidd,  Wil- 
kins,  Thomson,  and  a  score  of  acquaintances  had  assembled  to 
witness  the  performance.  It  now  occurred  to  Wontus  that 
perhaps  he  had  been  a  little  hasty  in  making  up  his  mind,  and 
when  he  remembered  that  he  had  never  undertaken  such  a 
feat  before,  he  expressed  doubts  as  to  his  ability.  The  gentle- 
men present  averred  that  it  was  the  simplest  thing  in  the 
world,  and  all  that  was  needed  was  confidence.  To  prove  that 
there  was  really  no  particular  talent  required,  Sam,  the  doctor's 
boy,  was  directed  to  mount  the  horse,  and  he  did  it.  It  was 
very  simple, 

"  A  man  should  never  ride  without  spurs,"  remarked  one 
of  the  company,  as  Mr.  Wontus  nervously  took  hold  of  the 
bridle. 

"  Certainly  not,"  chimed  the  bystanders.  And  then  it  was 
explained  how  headstrong  some  horses  were,  and  how  very 
necessary  it  was  that  the  rider  should  wear  spurs,  that  he 
might  be  better  able  to  manage  his  steed.  Mr.  Nidd  echoed 
the  remark,  and  ere  Mr.  Wontus  had  a  very  distinct  idea  as 
to  what  was  really  going  on,  a  pair  of  gigantic  Mexican  spurs, 
with  rowels  as  large  as  his  hand,  and  bells  which  tinkled  with 
every  step,  were  strapped  to  his  heels,  and  it  was  announced 
that  he  was  now  all  right. 

Sam  had  mounted  without  the  slightest  trouble,  but  Mr. 
Wontus  would  have  given  considerable  if  he  had  never  seen 
the  horse.  But  it  was  too  late  to  back  out  now,  and  again  he 
seized  the  bridle.  As  he  stepped  to  the  side  of  his  charger, 
the  bells  tinkled ;  the  horse  pricked  up  his  ears  and  shied  off. 
He  had  heard  the  sounds  before.  Three  different  times  did 
our  hero  attempt  to  mount,  with  precisely  the  same  result  each 
time.  Assistance  had  been  offered  hhn  at  first  but  he  had  de- 
clined it ;  now  he  would  accept  the  services  of  anybody.  A 
dozjn  hands  held  the  horse,  and  as  many  more  assisted  him  to 
mount.     In  the  excitement  he  had  forgotten  all  about  the 


286  wo  XT  us,  OR 

cavalry  expedition,  which  by  this  time  had  disappeared  over 
the  hill,  and  he  sat  on  his  horse — as  we  have  seen  little  boys 
do  it — with  indecision  marked  in  every  feature. 

The  wags  which  this  big  army  contained  could  be  counted 
by  thousands,  and  the  gratification  of  a  whim  with  a  vein  of 
humor  in  it  was  the  rule,  never  the  exception.  As  we  already 
know,  Mr.  Wontus  was  of  an  innocent,  confiding  nature,  and 
therefore  it  was  unfortunate  that  he  should  have  fallen  into 
the  present  company.  He  had  the  love  and  respect  of  all  who 
knew  him,  but  even  that  feeling  could  not  be  allowed  to  step 
in  and  prevent  the  gratification  of  "  a  little  fun."  Not  a  bit 
of  it. 

As  Wontus  sat  on  his  horse,  with  a  rein  in  each  hand,  he 
was  a  picture,  which,  having  been  once  seen,  could  not  easily 
be  forgotten.  His  army  life  had  taken  nothing  from  his  rotund 
figure,  and  his  lately  purchased  coat  displayed  it  to  the  best 
possible  advantage.  Two  or  three  times  he  had  endeavored 
to  place  his  feet  in  the  stirrups,  but  at  each  attempt  the  horse 
would  shy  and  endanger  his  equilibrium ;  so  he  sat  there  with 
his  short  legs  drawn  up  like  the  letter  Z.  the  flaming  red  tops 
of  his  boots  glistening  in  the  sun. 

'•  I'll  lead  him  a  little,"'  remarked  Mr.  Wilkins.  And.  suit- 
ing the  remark  by  his  action,  he  took  hold  of  the  bridle  and 
walked  the  animal  around  the  tents.  On  his  return  Mr.  Won- 
tus's  face  wore  a  smile,  and  although  the  big  drops  of  perspiration 
stood  out  on  his  forehead,  yet  he  seemed  to  have  gained  confi- 
dence by  his  little  experiences,  and  tried  it  once  around  alone. 
He  was  getting  more  courage  every  moment,  and  he  looked  at 
Nidd  after  a  manner  which  seemed  to  say,  "  Don't  you  wish 
you  were  me  ?"  It  was  now  that  the  assembled  company  com- 
mended him  most  highl}',  and  persuaded  him  to  try  a  longer 
and  a  faster  ride.  Most  men  are  susceptible  to  flattery,  and 
Olympus  Wontus  was  no  exception.  Of  course  he  would,  and 
he  started.  His  gait  was  slow  at  fii-st,  because  his  horse  ap- 
peared to  admire  it,  but  with  numerous  "  Get  up,  Dick !"  and 
various  other  remarks,  which  I  find  it  impossible  to  write,  he 
finally  persuaded  a  trot,  which  had  no  sooner  commenced  than 
he  wished  that  he  had  been  less  ambitious.  Onward  went  the 
liorse,  and  up  and  down,  like  a  vertical  shuttle,  went  the  rider. 
He  would  have  reined  up  if  he  could,  but  he  could  not.  for  it 
requii'ed  both  hands  to  hold  fast  to  the  saddle,  to  keep  him  in 


THE   CORPS   OF  ODSERVATION.  287 

an  upright  position.  Between  the  ups  and  downs  he  endeav- 
ored to  speak  sootliingly  to  the  animal,  and  thus  cease  his  tor- 
ment, but  the  horse  was  either  deaf  or  perverse,  for  he  paid  no 
attention  to  his  rider,  but  jogged  along  in  such  a  manner  as 
certainly  cannot  be  appreciated  by  anybody  who  has  not  tried 
it.  "  Whoa !"  cried  Mr.  Wontus.  And  now  he  commenced 
to  seek  for  his  stirrups.  What  an  unfortunate  seek  it  was ! 
No  sooner  had  the  horse  felt  the  motion  of  Mr.  Wontus\s  legs 
about  his  sides  than  he  quickened  his  pace,  and  the  ups  and 
downs  were  more  terrible  than  ever  before.  "Stop!  stop!" 
cried  our  modern  Gilpin.  And  he  pressed  his  legs  closer  to  the 
saddle.  But  the  horse  did  not  stop  ;  on  the  contrary,  the  more 
his  rider  shouted,  and  the  closer  he  pressed  his  spurred  feet  to 
the  flanks,  the  faster  he  went,  until  at  length  he  broke  into  a 
lively  gallop. 

Poor  riders  were  plentiful  in  the  earlier  stages  of  the  war ; 
therefore  a  greater  part  of  Mr.  Wontus's  ride  had  only  been 
witnessed  by  those  who  saw  him  start.  But  now  the  scene 
was  growing  interesting,  and  the  faster  the  horse  traveled  an  1 
the  more  his  rider  shouted  the  larger  became  the  circle  of 
spectators,  until  he  was  the  cynosure  of  all  observers,  and  as 
he  galloped  through  the  camps  yells  from  ten  thousand  throats 
added  a  new  impetus  to  the  speed  of  the  charger.  Away  sped 
horse  and  rider  ;  the  latter  the  picture  of  despair,  the  former 
frenzied  with  excitement.  Caps  and  knapsacks  flew  into  the 
air  as  each  camp  gave  forth  its  spectators,  and  cries  of  "  Catch 
him  !"  "  Stop  him  !"  "  Here  he  comes  !"  "  There  he  goes  !'' 
rang  in  Mr.  Wontus's  ears  like  a  summons  to  instant  death. 
Away  over  the  hill  and  down  the  other  side  dashed  the  horse, 
followed  by  a  motley  throng  of  soldiers.  A.  Virginia  fence 
barred  flirther  progress  in  that  direction.  The  rider  closed  his 
eyes,  and  throwing  himself  forward,  grasped  his  steed's  neck. 
This  movement  naturally  elevated  Mr.  Wontus's  legs,  and  con- 
serjucntly  relieved  the  horse's  flanks  of  the  pressure  of  the 
spurs,  and  in  a  moment  the  maddened  animal,  only  too  glad 
to  be  allowed  the  privilege,  halted,  and  his  rider  fell  to  the 
ground  in  a  state  of  complete  exhaustion. 

When  Thomas  Thomson  and  the  other  gentlemen  arrived  on 
the  spot,  Mr.  Wontus  had  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to 
stand.  He  had  sheltered  himself  in  one  of  the  many  angles 
of  the  fence,  and  was  gazing  with  subdued  rage  at  his  "  family 


2  88  WO  XT  us,  OR 

steed,"  wlio  was  at  that  moment  quietly  refreshing  himself  on 
the  tender  grass  before  him,  as  if  nothing  out  of  the  usual 
routine  of  aflfairs  had  occurred.  What  our  hero's  thoughts 
were  I  am  unable  to  say,  for,  contrary  to  custom,  he  gave  vent 
to  no  word  that  would  indicate  them.  Somebody  suggested 
that  he  should  remount  and  return  to  camp.  Wontus  looked 
at  the  speaker  savagely,  but  said  nothing.  Motioning  to 
Tommy,  he  took  his  arm,  and  without  casting  so  much  as  a 
glance  at  the  source  of  his  woe,  he  hobbled  silently  over  the 
hill,  and  in  due  time  was  among  his  friends.  Once  here,  and 
the  discovery  made  that  no  serious  damage  had  been  sustained, 
such  sympathy  as  he  received  would  have  melted  Mr.  Nidd,  and 
that  is  saying  a  great  deal.  Following  the  sympathy  came 
encomiums  of  praise,  and  following  the  praise  came  full  and 
complete  explanations  as  to  how  the  accident  occurred.  Sam 
had  not  "geared  the  horse  up"  in  a  proper  manner,  and  on 
Sam's  broad  shoulders  the  blame  was  rested. 

"  After  all,"  said  Mr.  Wontus,  as  he  sat  talking  over  the 
matter  in  the  evening,  "  I  think  I  did  very  well." 

"  Well?"  echoed  the  doctor;  "you  not  only  did  well,  you 
did  gi-andly.  I  know  of  no  man  in  the  brigade  who  could 
have  done  half  so  well."  And  thus  our  hero  was  impressed 
with  the  idea  that  what  had  been  a  premeditated  practical 
joke  was  purely  the  result  of  an  accident,  and  although  he 
felt  bruised  and  sore,  he  retired  to  his  tent  feeling  that  the 
courage  he  had  exhibited  was  well  worth  the  price  he  had  paid. 
He  had  been  the  first  of  the  party  to  ride  on  horseback,  and 
now  that  it  was  over  he  was  very  proud  of  his  exploit. 

Mr.  Nidd's  fowl  had  been  a  source  of  some  trouble  to  him, 
for  by  day  as  well  as  by  night  he  found  it  necessary-  to  keep  a 
vigilant  giiard  over  his  captive.  It  was  not  often  he  left  his 
quarters,  but  when  he  did  he  carried  his  chicken  with  him. 
"  You  remember,"  said  he  one  daj',  when  Mr.  Wontus  expos- 
tulated with  him,  "  when  at  Yorktown  we  were  minus  so  much 
as  would  fill  a  tooth  ?  Well,  sir,  I  do  not  propose  to  be  caught 
in  that  scrape  again,  and  as  live  stock  will  not  spoil  by  keep- 
ing, I  propose  to  save  this  bird  alive  until  the  day  arrives  that 
we  shall  need  it." 

As  a  class,  soldiers  are  peculiar.  They  are  all  improvident. 
The  wants  of  the  present  satisfied,  they  have  no  care  for  the 
future.     In  this  respect  officers  and  men  are  alike,  as  the  pay- 


THE   COUPS   OF    OBSERVATION.  289 

rolls  of  the  former  will  testify.  Mr.  Wontiis  appears  to  Lave 
become  inoculated  with  something  of  a  like  peculiarity,  and 
in  the  pleasure  of  the  present  he  forgot  that  there  was  a  future, 
and  would  have  persuaded  the  conveyancer  to  be  of  the  same 
mind  as  himself,  if  be  could.  But  he  couldn't,  and  the  fowl 
lived  for  a  few  days  more. 

Our  friends  were  surprisingly  healthy,  and  gained  so  much 
strength  and  confidence  with  the  passage  of  time,  that  when 
the  vanguard  of  the  army  reached  Cool  Harbor,  ]Mr.  Wontus 
longed  to  see  some  of  the  operations,  and  resolved  to  make  tlie 
journey.  Each  of  the  gentlemen  hud  made  himself  familiar 
enough  with  his  beast  to  be  able  to  sit  upon  his  back  without 
fear,  and  when  the  hour  came  for  parting  Mr.  Nidd  was  found 
to  have  made  his  fowl  flist  to  the  cantle  of  the  saddle,  much 
to  the  undisguised  grief  of  Sam,  the  doctor's  boy,  and  many 
others.  But  at  length  the  party  started,  with  directions  to 
follow  the  well-beaten  path  then  being  traveled  by  the  trains 
of  supplies. 

As  they  passed  along,  Mr.  Wontus  was  struck  with  the 
number  of  embalming  establishments  which  had  sprung  up 
like  mushrooms  along  the  roadside,  and  whose  flaming  signs 
met  the  eye  on  every  hand,  but  it  was  reserved  for  Mr.  Wilkins 
to  signalize  the  occasion  by  a  burst  of  knowledge. 

"What's  that  air?"  queried  Thomas  Thomson  of  Mr.  Wil- 
kins, as  they  rode  side  by  side  in  the  rear  of  Wontus  and 
Nidd. 

"That?"  asked  Wilkins,  pointing  to  an  embalming  estab- 
lishment, whose  sign  set  forth  the  virtues  of  this  particular 
establishment  over  all  others,  and  ended  with  a  poetic  efi"usiou 
which  placed  the  beauties  of  the  dead  being  sent  back  to  those 
who  were  alive,  looking  as  if  they  were  not  dead  at  all ;  "  that's 
a  'balniin'  place."  And  Mr.  Wilkins  proceeded  to  spell  out  the 
words  which  he  saw  on  the  sign. 

"  'Balmin' !  What's  'balmin'  ?"  asked  Mr.  Thomson, suddenly 
drawing  up  his  foot  to  keep  it  out  of  the  way  of  his  mule,  who 
desired  to  scratch  his  ear  with  his  rear  foot. 

"  And  you  don't  know  what  'balmin'  is?"  laughed  Mr.  Wil- 
kins, who  had  succeeded  in  mastering  the  sign.  He  laughed 
insinuatingly. 

"  No,  nor  I  don't  believe  you  do,  neither,"  quoth  Thomson, 
with  spirit. 

N  25 


290  wdxTUS,  OB 

"Ha,  ha,  ha!"  continued  Wilkins,  "I  thought  you  were 
smarter  than  that." 

"  Well,  now,  how  smart  are  3-ou  ?"  queried  Thomson,  sneer- 
ino-ly.  Mr.  AVilkins  paid  no  attention  to  the  remark,  but  con- 
tinued his  laughter. 

"  You're  a  thunderin'  fool !"  cried  Thomson,  "  and  I  don't 
believe  you  know  anything  howsmuch  about  it."  Having  said 
this,  the  gentleman  commenced  a  vigorous  thumping  on  the 
sides  of  his  animal,  and  would  probably  have  left  his  companion 
behind  had  it  not  been  that  j  ust  at  the  moment  that  the  mule 
had  evidently  made  up  his  mind  to  perform  some  astonishing 
feats,  the  nature  of  which  we  can  only  guess  at,  Mr.  ^Yilkin3 
ceased  laughing  and  said  : 

"  Mister  Thomson,  without  any  p,  supposin'  you  was  dead." 

"  Can't  s'pose,"  replied  Mr.  Thomson,  angrily,  tugging  at 
his  bridle.  '•  Never  was  dead,  and  can't  s'pose  nothin'  about 
it,  no  more  nor  you  nor  any  other  man  kin." 

"  Whew  !''  whistled  our  experienced  friend,  at  Mr.  Thomson's 
unusual  display  of  temper."  "  Yes,  but  jist  supposin'  you  were 
dead." 

"  Well,  s  posin'  I  was." 

"  Well,  if  you  was  to  die,  I'd  insist  on  havin'  you  'balmed. 
Don't  you  see,  I  think  more  of  you  than  you  was  a-thinkin'  I 
did.' 

Mr.  Thomson  looked  more  pleased,  and  drew  nearer  his 
companion. 

"  Well,"  continued  Wilkins,  "  now  we'll  just  supposin'  you 
are  dead,  and  the  colonel's  concluded  to  send  your  carca.ss  to 
New  York,  to  that  gal.  Well,  the  next  thing  to  be  done 
would  be  to  turn  your  carcass  inside  out.  (Thomson  looked 
amazed.)  You  see,  that'd  keep  you  clean  and  neat.  Well, 
after  that  was  all  done,  then  you'd  have  to  be  biled  for  a  day 
or  two,  and  then  hung  up  in  the  sun  to  dry  off  and  get  hard 
a"in.  Well,  as  soon  as  you  was  hardened  enough,  then  you'd 
be  taken  into  that  place,  or  one  like  it, — it  all  depends  on  the 
price,  you  know, — and  them  fellers  would  stuff  you  with  a  kind 
of  ingredients  which  they  have  got  and  you'd  be  preserved 
just  as  good  as  new ;  there  ain't  nothin'  in  the  world  could 
destroy  you,  particularly  if  you  got  'em  to  insure  you." 

"  You  don't  say  !"'  cried  Thomson,  with  startling  emphasis. 

"  A  fact,  as  sure  as  shootiu',''  replied  Mr.  Wilkins ;  and  then, 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  291 

as  if  fearful  of  further  questioning,  he  whipped  up  his  animal, 
and  in  a  moment  had  joined  Wontus  and  Nidd.  For  the  rest 
of  the  day  Thomas  Thomson  was  in  a  condition  of  painful 
doubt,  and  more  than  once  was  on  the  point  of  renewing  the 
conversation  on  the  subject,  but  each  time  had  his  intentions 
frustrated  by  Mr.  Wilkins  calling  his  attention  to  the  many 
interesting  things  which  presented  themselves  as  they  journeyed 
along. 

When  evening  came  the  corps  of  observation  found  itself 
in  strange  company  ;  that  is  to  say,  of  all  the  men  who  swarmed 
about  there  was  not  one  face  that  any  of  the  party  save  Mr. 
Wilkins,  of  course,  could  recollect  as  ever  having  seen  before. 

"  Let  well  enough  alone"  is  a  maxim  which,  if  the  corps 
had  heeded,  would  have  eased  them  of  the  discomfiture  and 
vexation  which  attended  their  efforts  at  securing  quarters  after 
arriving  at  Graines's  Mill.  The  army  had  but  recently  moved 
into  its  new  position,  and  as  yet  everything  was  unsettled. 
But  a  charitably  disposed  quartermaster's  sergeant  was  found 
at  last,  and  in  consideration  of  the  payment  of  a  small  sum 
the  party  was  permitted  to  consider  one  of  his  tents  as  their 
temporary  home.  The  boxes  and  barrels  which  filled  the  tent 
could  not  be,  or  at  least  were  not,  moved,  and  while  they  came 
in  very  handy  as  sitting-room  furniture,  Mr.  Nidd  complained 
of  them  as  inconvenient,  and  somewhat  uneven  as  beds.  But 
they  were  pleased  for  all  that,  and  Nidd  consumed  the  greater 
part  of  his  time  in  feeding  and  watching  his  fowl. 

It  was  during  the  first  few  days  of  the  corps'  new  situation 
that  an  accident  occurred,  which,  although  comparatively  com- 
mon, was  nevertheless  somewhat  disastrous  in  its  conclusion. 
It  is  well  known  that  Mr.  Nidd  was  not  the  most  liberal  man 
in  the  world,  and  as  this  trait  of  character  is  generally  con- 
ceded to  carry  with  it  more  or  less  selfishness,  it  is  fair  to 
presume  that  he  was  a  little  selfish.  I  certainly  have  no 
desire  to  deal  harshly  with  Nidd,  but  when  I  say  that  he  and 
the  sergeant  agreed  to  eat  the  treasured  fowl  some  time  when 
they  were  entirely  alone,  I  feel  that  I  have  done  nothing  more 
than  is  proper,  for  that  was  precisely  the  agreement  they  had 
made.  Nidd,  to  his  credit  be  it  said,  felt  some  compunctions 
of  conscience,  somewhat  ashamed  of  the  matter ;  and  he  only 
consented  after  it  was  settled  that  the  feast  should  take  place 
at  some  spot  where  the  participants  would  not  be  likely  to  be 


292  WOXTUS,  OR 

disturbed  by  any  of  the  members  of  the  corps.  The  prelimi- 
naries being  all  attended  to,  the  sergeant  and  Mr.  Nidd  pro- 
ceeded some  distance  from  their  camp,  and  the  fowl  was  pre- 
pared for  the  pot,  which  Nidd's  companion  had  procured  for 
the  occasion. 

The  day  selected  was  one  on  which  Mr.  Wontus  and  the 
others  had  made  up  their  minds  to  pay  a  visit  to  the  right 
wing  of  the  army,  and  Nidd  was  sure  that  they  would  bo 
absent  all  day,  hence  when  the  pot  commenced  to  boil,  he 
sniffed  the  aroma  which  arose  from  its  contents,  and  smacked 
his  lips  in  anticipation  of  the  enjoyment.  He  would  have  one 
square  meal  now,  if  he  never  got  another. 

It  was  noon  when  Mr.  Nidd  seated  himself  by  the  side  of 

his  new  friend,  at  a  little  distance  from  the  fire,  and  commenced 

a  story,  which  would  have  continued  much  longer  than  it  did 

had  the  sergeant  not  interrupted  by  declaring  that  the  fowl 

must  certainly  be  done.    No  second  reminder  was  necessary  for 

Nidd  to  immediately  proceed  to  the  pot.  feel  the  fowl  with  his 

knife,  and  then  declare  that  it  needed  still  more  cookins:.     How 

.  .  .  .     . 

many  times  this  operation  was  repeated  it  is  unnecessary  to 

say  ;  let  it  suffice  that  the  times  were  very  numerous,  and  that 

it  was  not  until  his  patience  was  entirely  exhausted  that  he  at 

last  permitted  the  fowl  to  be  lifted  from  the  pot  and  laid  on  a 

large  flat  stone  which  had  been  washed  and  warmed  to  receive  it. 

That  the  gentlemen  were  hungry  there  can  be  no  question, 
and  while  his  companion  proceeded  to  develop  the  contents  of 
his  haversack,  Mr.  Nidd  proceeded  to  endeavor  to  dissect  the 
fowl.  It  was  an  endeavor  only,  for  the  fowl  not  only  refused 
to  permit  the  knife  to  be  inserted  into  its  joints,  but  success- 
fully defied  every  other  effort  made  to  dismember  it.  The 
sergeant  tried  it,  and  Nidd  tried  it  again  and  again,  and  it 
was  only  after  he  had  exhausted  every  known  effort  that  he 
gave  it  up  in  disgust. 

"  Well,"  said  Nidd,  while  the  sergeant  was  still  working  on 
the  carcass,  "  I  paid  for  that  chicken,  and  I'm  glad  of  it.  I 
consider  it  a  relic  of  the  past,  for  having  purchased  it  on  the 
very  ground  where  Washington  was  married.  I  feel  perfec-tly 
confident  that,  had  it  the  power  of  speech,  it  could  detail  every 
event  of  that  interesting  occasion.  I'm  sure  it  was  there  on 
that  day."  As  he  ceased  speaking  he  cast  a  look  of  mingled 
regret  and  anger  at  what  was  to  have  been  a  '^  square"  meal, 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  293 

and  slowly  proceeded  to  assist  his  companion  in  endeavoring 
to  dispose  of  the  homely  fare  spread  before  him.  But  the  end 
was  not  yet. 

It  is  no  exaggeration  to  say  that  the  fowl  had  been  boiling, 
or  was  in  the  pot,  at  least  since  noon,  and  now  it  was  growing 
dark.  Nidd  was  provoked,  and  as  he  lay  upon  the  grass  de- 
bating in  his  mind  how  he  would  account  for  the  absence  of 
the  fowl  the  sergeant  bid  him  good-evening,  and  departed, 
leaving  the  conveyancer  to  follow  at  his  leisure.  He  was  in  a 
bad  humor.  He  thought  of  the  many  steps  he  had  taken  on 
account  of  that  fowl,  and  of  the  abuse  he  had  suffered,  that 
in  the  end  he  might  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  courage  and  labor. 
But  now  to  haveit  dashed  from  his  very  lips,  when  anticipa- 
tion had  heightened  his  appetite,  was  more  than  he  could 
calmly  submit  to.  So  he  lay  there  and  thought  until  the  sua 
went  down,  and  darkness  was  coming  on  apace. 

Mr.  Nidd  was  not  at  all  near-sighted,  and  yet  he  has  it  re- 
corded somewhere  in  the  pages  before  this  one,  that  the  tents 
of  the  army  all  looked  so  much  alike  that  even  in  daylight  he 
occasionally  experienced  trouble  in  finding  his  quarters ;  and 
this  being  true,  his  trouble  at  night  can  be  readily  imagined. 
Retreat  had  sounded  in  the  cavalry  camp,  still  he  lingered 
ruminating,  and  it  was  full  dusk  when  he  gathered  his  long 
legs  and  prepared  to  move  homeward.  What  happened  to 
him  on  his  homeward  walk  deserves  a  short  chaDter  of  its 
own. 


CHAPTER   XXVI. 

IN   WHICH    GASCON     NIDD    HAS   A   STARTLING   ADVENTURE. 

The  Signal  branch  of  the  sei-vice  had  not  come  to  that  con- 
dition of  perfection  which  characterized  it  a  year  or  two  after 
the  peninsular  campaign  ;  but  still  it  was  found  to  be  of  im- 
mense advantage,  and  was  freely  used  by  the  different  com- 
manders. Flags  did  the  work  in  the  day-time,  but  at  night 
the  flaming  flambeau  was  brought  into  requisition,  and  at 
times  long  lines  of  lurid  torches  could  be  seen  waving  and 

25* 


204  WOXTUS,  OB 

dancing  in  the  air  like  jack-o'-lanterns,  and  extending  from 
the  outworks  or  picket  line  far  back  into  the  gloom,  where  a 
division  commander  sat  in  his  tent  and  anxiously  listened  to 
the  reports  which  came  to  him  by  the  fiery,  silent  messengers. 

2sidd  walked  slowly  in  the  direction  in  which  he  believed  his 
quarters  lay,  quite  busy  with  his  reflections,  and  the  darkness 
had  come  ere  he  commenced  to  wonder  if  he  was  going  in  the 
right  direction.  There  were  men  and  tents  all  around  him  ; 
but  as  each  man  and  each  tent  seemed  to  look  so  much  like 
those  which  he  wished  to  find,  and  yet  were  not,  he  became 
more  and  more  confused  as  he  passed  along.  Dark,  heavy 
clouds  obscured  the  stars,  and  when  Mr.  Xidd  failed  to  find 
the  quarters  he  was  looking  for  he  declared  that  the  night 
was  the  darkest  he  had  ever  seen  in  his  life. 

Like  many  other  people,  Gascon  Nidd  seemed  to  have  an 
idea  that  because  a  man  was  a  soldier,  that  he  would  certainly 
be  acquainted  with,  or  at  least  have  some  knowledge  of,  every 
other  soldier  in  the  army  ;  hence  he  believed  all  the  men  he 
had  asked  as  to  where  Captain  Saltems's  quarters  were  were 
very  ignorant  because  they  could  not  tell  him.  He  had  fully 
made  up  his  mind  to  this,  because  he  had  failed  to  get  any 
information  ;  and  now  resolved  to  go  it,  as  he  said,  on  his  own 
hook.  Now  it  seems  that  one  of  the  lines  of  signal-lights, 
before  referred  to,  was  occasionally  operated  somewhere  near 
his  quarters,  so  when  he  saw  a  line  of  these  lights  waving 
before  him  he  quickened  his  steps  and  walked  toward  the 
nearest  one.  As  the  light  would  wave  and  dance  about  for  a 
time  and  then  suddenly  disajfjiear,  Mr.  Xidd  found  it  abso- 
lutely necessary  for  him  to  keep  his  eyes  firmly  fixed  upon 
the  spot  where  he  had  last  see  it,  and  in  that  way  he  trudged 
along  through  swamp  and  brier,  only  to  find  when  he  reached 
the  desired  place  that  the  light  had  in  some  unaccountable 
way  moved  to  another  spot  still  farther  away  than  ever.  But 
he  persevered,  and  at  last,  bruised  and  sore,  reached  a  station 
only  to  find,  when  there,  that  the  men  here  were  as  ignorant 
as  to  Saltems's  quarters  as  those  he  had  left  behind.  This 
was  most  vexatious,  and  he  was  thoroughly  disg-usted.  He 
permitted  this  feeling  to  go  so  far  as  to  commence  to  think 
that  the  best  thing  he  could  do  would  be  to  remain  where  he 
was  all  night ;  but  he  dismissed  the  thought  with  a  curse, 
and  suddenly  resolved  to  make  one  more  efiort.     This  eff"urt 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATIOX.  295 

had  an  unfortunate  termination,  and  it  occurred  in  this 
wise. 

In  his  peregrinations  Nidd  htid  floundered  into  a  dcej)  and 
bushy  ravine,  and  while  there  had  become  tliorouglily  bewil- 
dered. Now  he  would  be  ankle-deep  in  the  mud,  and  when 
he  struggled  out  he  would  find  himself  firmly  held  by  the 
l)ramble,  which  stuck  into  his  clothes  and  flesh  in  a  most 
frightful  way.  Thus  far  he  had  kept  up  his  courage,  but 
now  so  many  difl&culties  beset  him  that  he  commenced  to 
weaken,  and  he  sat  down  on  the  trunk  of  a  fallen  tree  and 
was  in  despair.  It  was  while  he  was  sitting  here  W'Ondering 
what  was  to  become  of  him,  that  he  saw  a  faint  light  glim- 
mering through  the  tangled  bushes.  It  was  like  the  beacon- 
light  to  the  wrecked  mariner,  and  the  moment  he  satisfied 
himself  that  it  was  not  his  imagination  w^hich  created  it,  he 
rose  and  made  his  w'ay  as  fast  as  possible  toward  it.  He  had 
lost  sight  of  the  beacon,  but  was  pushing  on  through  the  brush 
in  a  direction  which  he  was  sure  was  right,  when  suddenly 
his  steps  were  terminated  and  his  blood  almost  frozen  by  the 
cry: 

"  Halt !     Who  goes  there  ?" 

It  was  pitchy  dark,  and  while  the  voice  seemed  quite  near 
him,  Mr.  Nidd  could  not  distinguish  the  slightest  semblance 
to  a  human  being.  But  he  halted  for  all  that,  and  held  his 
hand  up  before  his  eyes  to  convince  himself  that  it  was  really 
as  dark  as  he  thought  it  was,  and  that  he  was  not  going  blind. 

"  Who  goes  there  ?"  cried  the  voice. 

"  A  friend,"  said  Nidd,  most  humbly.  He  had  seen  enough 
of  army  life  to  know  what  was  necessary,  and  he  was  now 
doing  his  very  best. 

"  Advance,  friend,  and  give  the  countersign  !" 

"  I  haven't  got  it,"  replied  Mr.  Nidd,  still  more  humbly  than 
before. 

"  Stand  fast !"  commanded  the  voice,  and  then  Nidd  heard 
the  sharp  quick  click  of  the  lock  of  a  rifle.  It  was  only  a  moment 
from  the  time  that  Nidd  heard  the  clicking  occasioned  by  the 
man  cocking  his  piece  and  the  time  of  his  speaking  again,  but 
that  moment  was  pregnant  with  a  multitude  of  thoughts  of  the 
mo.st  distressing  character.  He  w^as  sure  that  the  sentinel  was 
directly  in  front  of  him,  and  but  a  few  paces  off;  he  w^as  also 
equally  sure  that  the  man  had  his  piece  cocked,  and  that  the 


296  WOXTUS,  OR 

muzzle  was  directly  covering  his  body.  Now  he  knew  that  it 
required  very  little  pressure  on  the  trigger  to  fire  the  rifle,  and 
he  felt  sure  that  if  the  unseen  man  who  stood  before  him  was 
just  one-tenth  as  nervous  as  he  was,  that  the  piece  which  was 
covering  his  body  would  surely  go  off,  and  that  that  would  be 
the  end  of  all  his  earthly  calculations  and  prospects.  He  was 
sure  that  this  result  must  inevitably  follow  if  relief,  in  some 
shape,  was  not  afforded  immediately,  and  he  felt  very  much 
happier  when  he  heard  the  sentinel  cry  out: 

''Corporal  of  the  g-uard,  post  number  four,  double  quick!" 
The  fear  of  the  sentinel  shooting  him  by  accident  was  still 
lingering  in  Mr.  Nidd's  mind,  and  with  it,  but  now  more 
prominently  than  the  other,  was  the  thought  that  perhaps  in 
his  travels  he  had  wandered  through  some  break  in  the  lines  of 
his  friends,  and  was  now  about  to  be  taken  in  hand  by  his 
foes.  He  felt  like  speaking  to  the  sentinel,  but  the  fear  that 
by  so  doing  he  might  disturb  the  man's  nerves  and  thereby 
have  himself  shot,  deterred  him,  and  he  stood  there  as  im- 
movable and  as  silent  as  a  statue,  while  the  big  drops  of  per- 
spiration came  out  upon  his  face  and  rolled  down  his  cheeks 
unheeded. 

It  was  not  long  ere  the  sound  of  the  corporal's  feet  could 
be  heard  crushing  the  dry  twigs ;  and  when  that  individual 
broke  through  the  bushes  with  a  lantern  in  his  hand,  Nidd  was 
delighted  to  notice  that  he  wore  the  blue  of  the  government. 
The  sentinel  soon  explained  why  he  had  called,  and  after  the 
light  of  the  lantern  had  been  thrown  full  upon  the  person  of 
Mr.  Nidd,  that  gentleman  was  directed  to  advance.  It  needed 
no  second  invitation,  and  in  due  time  the  hero  of  this  chapter 
was  taken  in  charge  and  escorted  to  the  headquarters  of  the 
guard.  Once  here,  he  made  a  full  explanation  as  to  how  he 
had  come  into  his  present  situation,  and  then  desired  that  he 
should  be  escorted  to  his  own  Cjuarters,  which  he  now  learned 
with  great  surprise  were  but  a  few  hundred  feet  away.  But 
this  request  could  not  be  granted,  for  aside  from  the  rather 
suspicious  circumstances  under  which  he  had  been  made  a 
prisoner,  his  looks  were  decidedly  against  him.  But  Nidd 
could  not  rest.  The  fear  which  had  guided  his  actions  but  a 
little  while  since  was  gone,  and  he  demanded  to  see  the 
general  whose  headquarters'  guard  he  had  been  captured  by. 
He  pressed  this  point  so  frequently  and  so  determinedly  that  the 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  297 

officer  of  tlio  guard  finally  convoyed  him  to  the  quarters  of  his 
coniinandiug  officer,  and  he  was  ushered  into  the  tent. 

The  officer  was  about  retiring-,  and  Mr.  Nidd  I'ound  the 
greatest  difficulty  in  satisfying  him  as  to  his  loyalty  and  busi- 
ness ;  but  when  he  mentioned  Mr.  Wontus's  name,  the  gen- 
eral commenced  to  think  better  of  him,  and  after  Nidd  had 
made  many  promises,  which  he  forgot  the  moment  he  was  safe 
in  his  own  quarters,  a  soldier  escorted  him  home,  and  he  crept 
into  his  place  among  the  barrels  and  boxes,  and  laid  plans  for 
keeping  his  adventure  from  the  knowledge  of  his  friends.  For 
a  long  while  he  was  successful  in  this,  but  the  fact  that  it  finds 
a  place  here  is  evidence  that  it  leaked  out  at  last. 


CHAPTER  XXYII. 

THE    BATTLE    OF    FAIR     OAKS THE    CORPS    UNDER    FIRE 

AN    OLD    CHARACTER    IN    A    NEW    PLACE — THE    DESERTER 
THE   PURSUIT THE   CAPTURE    AND    DEATH. 

Day  after  day  rolled  by,  yet  tbe  army  did  not  enter  the 
foe's  capital.  When  he  arose  each  morning,  Mr.  Wontus 
asked:  "  When  will  the  army  move?"  and  when  he  retired  at 
night  the  same  answer  was  returned:  "  To-morrow  !" 

The  railroad  stations  of  portions  of  Virginia  were  much 
like  the  miles :  they  were  rather  uncertain.  To  be  on  a  rail- 
road train  and  find  the  cars  stopping,  and  hear  the  conductor 
call  out  "  Mulligan's  Corner,"  is  generally  the  signal  for  all  the 
passengers  to  quit  doing  everything  else  and  gaze  out  of  the 
windows.  Usually  there  is  something  to  be  seen  at  these  sta- 
tions, but  many  of  the  stations  on  the  line  between  West 
Point  and  the  city  of  Richmond  could  not  boast  of  anything 
more  attractive  than  an  almost  impenetrable  wood,  with  a  sandy 
cart-road  leading  to  some  place,  so  far  away  as  to  be  entirely 
beyond  the  line  of  vision.  Such  a  place,  with  a  few  clear 
fields  interspersed,  was  Fair  Oaks  Station  in  the  latter  part  of 
•May,  1862. 

The  morning  of  the  31st  of  May  found  Messrs.  Nidd,  Won- 


298  WOXTUS,  OR 

tus,  Wilkins,  and  Thomson  riding  in  the  order  in  which  they 
are  named  into  the  yard  of  a  pleasjant-lookiiig  brick  house, 
which  stood  on  an  eminence  near  to  and  on  the  north  side  of 
the  raih-oad.  It  was  this  house  that  gave  the  place  the  name 
of  Savage's  Station. 

Some  days  before,  the  troops  of  the  left  wing  of  the  army 
had  advanced  from  the  banks  of  the  Chickahominy,  and  now 
fifteen  regiments,  from  nearly  half  as  many  Stiitcs,  lay 
stretched  along  the  railroad  to  within  six  miles  of  the  rebel 
capital.  They  had  been  nearer,  but  the  orders  of  the  general- 
in-chief  had  brought  them  back,  and  when  Mr.  Wontus  came 
among  them  the  advance  lines  were  in  the  vicinity  of  Fair 
Oaks. 

Mr.  Wontus  and  his  party  had  been  so  assiduous  in  their 
attention  to  the  sick,  and  so  clever  to  all  who  came  in  contact 
with  them,  that  they  were  now  well  known  and  welcome  in 
any  part  of  the  army.  AVontus  himself  was  most  active,  and 
his  money  was  always  at  the  command  of  those  who  needed 
it ;  many  a  sick  cot  and  mess-table  was  rendered  happy  by  his 
generosity. 

There  was  nothing  prepossessing  in  the  looks,  manners,  or 
style  of  the  gentleman  who  greeted  3Ir.  Wontus  as  he  dis- 
mounted, yet  there  was  something  indescribable  in  his  bluff, 
off-hand  speech  well  calculated  to  make  the  casual  observer 
single  him  out  as  a  man  worthy  of  attention. 

"  Ah,  come  to  see  us,  eh?"  The  voice  was  sharp,  accom- 
panied by  a  sharp  nasal  twang.  "  Glad  to  see  you  ;  but  you'd 
better  remount  and  go  back."  As  the  general  spoke,  he  put 
forth  his  hand,  and  while  he  grasped  Mr.  Wontus's  warmly, 
his  little  gray  eyes  seemed  to  express  more  than  his  words. 

The  conversation  which  ensued  was  something  like  this : 

"  We  thought "  said  Mr.  Wontus. 

"  You  better  return,"  interrupted  the  general. 

"  That  we  would  come  over  here " 

"  Better  return  !" 

"  Because  we  heard  that " 

"  Better  return  !" 


"  It  was  very  probable  that 

"  Everything  is  probable." 

"  There  would  be  an  advance — 

"  You'd  be  better  off  at  home  !' 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  299 


"  Of  this  wing- 
"  Can't  move 


Whieli  would  penetrate- 


"  The  capital  of  a  certain  nameless  region  1" 

"Richmond." 

"Oh!" 

"Yes." 

"  Take  my  advice,  and  return  to  the  other  side  of  that  in- 
fernal swamp  immediately." 

"Must  we  return?"  Mr.  Wontus  emphasized  the  verb, 
and  looked  at  the  general  wonderiugly. 

"  Would  be  glad  to  have  you,  but " 

"But  what?" 

"  There  is  danger  here.  ^Ye  are  here  to  be  shot  at ;  it  s 
our  duty,  our  business ;  but  there  is  no  occasion  for  you  to 
expose  yourself." 

"  But  where  is  the  danger?"  asked  Mr.  Wontus.  And  as 
he  did  so  he  noticed  that  there  was  a  strange  quietness  per- 
vading the  camps,  that  but  few  stragglers  could  be  seen,  and 
that  the  horses  were  standing  saddled  and  ready  for  their  riders. 

"  Do  you  hear  those  shots  off  there  to  the  left?" 

"Pickets  firing,"  remarked  Mr.  Wontus,  turning  his  eyes 
towards  the  spot  indicated. 

"Picket  firing?  Hark  at  that;  pickets  don't  often  fire 
shots  like  that.  And  as  he  spoke  the  roar  of  a  field-piece  was 
heard,  quickly  followed  by  the  shrill  screaming  of  a  shell. 

Leaving  Mr.  Wontus  to  his  thoughts,  the  general  gathered 
his  staff  about  him,  and  in  a  few  moments  a  dozen  young 
officers  were  flying  over  the  fields  in  as  many  different  direc- 
tions, and  the  companies  were  forming  in  the  streets  of  the 
camp  near  by. 

Still,  there  was  nothing  to  be  seen,  and  Wontus  and  his 
friends  made  themselves  as  comfortable  as  they  could,  and 
waited. 

It  was  now  noon,  and  dark,  heavy  clouds  hung  like  a  tuneral 
pall  over  the  grounds  soon  to  be  dyed  by  the  crimson  blood 
from  a  thousand  brave,  bright  hearts.  Certainly  no  more  fit- 
ting ground  could  have  been  chosen  for  a  battle-field.  Undu- 
lati^iig,  and  dotted  here  and  there  with  clear  fields  and  thick 
wood's  and  tangled  swamps.  Mr.  Wontus  looked  with  eager  ex- 
pectations at  the  preparations  which  were  going  on  about  him. 


300  WOXTU.^,  OR 

Xidd  and  "Wilkins,  wlio  had  overheard  the  conversation  be- 
tween the  general  and  their  senior,  vehemently  uru^ed  the  ac- 
ceptance of  his  advice,  but  Wontus  was  deaf  alike  to  their 
counsel  and  entreaties,  and  announced  his  determination  to 
remain.  "For,"  said  he,  "this  was  my  original  intention.  I 
cannot  fight,  but  I  can  assist  the  sick  and  wounded,  and  I  .shall 
remain  and  carry  out  my  original  idea ;  the  idea  which  induced 
me  to  leave  New  York  and  come  here."  As  the  gentleman 
spoke,  his  eyes  blazed,  and  his  lips  quivered  with  the  excite- 
ment which  filled  his  bosom.  The  impending  battle  had  lent 
wing*  to  his  imagination,  and,  as  had  become  customary,  he 
already  pictured  himself  inspecting  the  curiosities  of  the  rebel 
capital. 

But  the  sounds  were  drawing  nearer,  and  the  soldiers  took 
their  arms  and  were  marched  into  the  field  beyond,  and  the 
fight  commenced.  The  troops  of  the  gallant  Casey  were  in 
advance.  Indications  of  the  projected  attack  had  made  them 
watchful,  and  when  the  enemy  struck  they  found  a  foeman 
worthy  of  their  steel,  and  the  bloody  work  commenced. 
Onward  swept  the  columns  of  the  enemy,  only  to  be  driven 
back  and  held  in  check  until  reinforced.  First  the  left,  then 
the  centre,  and  then  the  right  met  death  without  a  quiver. 
But  this  was  but  the  initiatory  ceremony,  and  again  the  solid 
columns  of  the  foe  moved  like  an  avalanche,  and  swept  down 
upon  the  devoted  left.  The  flank  was  turned,  the  lines  broke, 
and  the  troops,  fighting  as  individuals,  slowly  fell  back.  Help 
now,  or  the  day  is  lost.  Hark !  rising  above  the  din  of  mus- 
ketry and  the  roar  of  batteries,  a  cheer  breaks  upon  the  ear, 
and  the  men  of  Pennsylvania,  New  York,  and  Massachusetts 
have  come  to  the  assistance  of  their  comrades,  and  the  battle 
went  on  afresh.  Onward  pressed  the  foe,  not  in  regiments, 
not  in  brigades,  but  in  swarms.  They  had  driven  our  men 
from  the  rifle-pits,  and  the  heaps  of  dead  and  dying  tell  the  price 
of  the  victory.  Casey's  position  was  no  longer  tenable  ;  his  guns 
were  hot,  his  ammunition  scarce,  and  his  brave  men  exhausted, 
and  then  the  short  but  feared  retreat  commenced.  Couch's 
line  was  reached,  but  how  fearful  was  the  loss  !  ]Men  passed 
from  life  and  activity  to  silence  and  death  like  snow-flakes  in 
the  sun  of  spring,  while  the  roar  of  advancing  cannons  and 
the  exultant  yells  of  the  enemy  couvej'ed  the  idea  that  the  day 
was  nearly  won. 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  301 

And  it  rained !  ,  ,    .      ^  n        *i  . 

In  an  instant  the  light  of  day  was  almost  shut  out  from  the 
earth,  and  the  deep  peals  and  clashing  of  Heavens  mighty 
artillery  swelled  upon  the  air,  and  sank  man  s  grandest,  most 
wondrous  aehievements  into  insignificance  <>  oomier  become 
the  day,  yet  the  battle  raged  unceasingly,  while  the  clou(  s 
opened  and  poured  down  their  deluge  of  water.  Backward, 
still  backward,  the  struggling  lines  of  blue  were  pressed ;  dis- 
puting each  foot  of  ground  as  though  it  were  a  treasure,  until  tlie 
sheltering  banks  of  the  railroad  were  reached,  and  then  the  toe 
was  compelled  to  fly  to  the  shelter  of  the  woods,  there  to  pre- 
pare for  the  onslaught  which  was  intended  to  crush  and  anni- 
hilate the  left  wing  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac 

But  the  prayer  which  had  been  ascending  all  day  was  an- 
swered, and  the  men  from  Long  Island,  and  Maine  and  xNew 
Hampshire  came  marching  over  the  tottering  bridges  which 
spanned  the  maddened  waters  of  the  Chickahominy.     To  the 
rescue,  or  all  is  lost.     The  momentary  lull  was  but  the  calm 
which  precedes  the  storm,  and  belts  were  tightened  and  mus- 
kets clutched  firmer,  for  a  change  is  being  made  among  the 
divisions  of  the  enemy,  and  long  lines  of  men  in  gray  cwiie 
swarming  along  the  road,  and  disappear  m  the  woods      But 
the  lines'^of  men  in  blue  are  no  longer  inactive;  close  by,  and 
with  a  clear,  smooth,  undulating  field  between  him  and  the 
enemy,  the  batteries  of  Heintzelman  are  manoeuvring  under 
the  cover  of  the  thick  woods.    Twelve  pieces  have  already  taken 
their  places,  and  more  are  following.     Their  movements  are 
masked  from  the  sight  of  the  enemy  by  the  dense  foliage  of 
the  trees,  and  no  word  is  spoken.     Determinationis  stamped 
upon  the  orimy  faces  of  the  artillerists,  and  while  the  thunder 
ot^the  fight  is  sounding  away  to  the  right  and  left,  all  is  silent 
here.     Heintzelman  knows  the  love  which  his  foe  kis  for  the 
cannon  of  the  government ;  he  has  seen  him  on  other  fields, 
and  at  other  times,  do  daring  acts  that  he  might  embrace  the 
ol)iect  of  his  affection,  and  now  he  is  about  to  profit  by  it.     A 
section  of  six-pounders  are  advanced  from  the  line  in  the  woods, 
and  take  up  position  in  the  clear,  open  field  beyond,      i  hey 
stand  in  plain  view  of  the  enemy,  and  pour  their  shot  and  shell 
iut(.  his  ranks  as  though  he  were  but  a  harmless  target. 

The  ruse  succeeded;  the  exultant  foe  debouched  from  the 
woods,  and  advanced  across  the  plain,  with  drums  beatin 


^  and 


1.0 


302  WOXTCS,  OR 

flags  flying.  Still  the  artilleryman  with  his  two  lone  pieces 
played  upon  them.  Onward  they  came,  line  after  line,  in  one 
Solid  mass,  stretching  from  the  railroad  on  our  right  to  the 
AVilliamsburg  road  on  the  left.  They  came  up  like  a  division 
on  review. 

"  Double  shot  with  canister  !"  rang  from  the  line  of  guns  in 
the  wood,  and  the  command  was  quickly  executed,  and  again 
all  was  silent  and  motionless. 

"  Charge !"  cried  the  rebel  leader,  and  with  a  triumphant 
j'ell,  the  men  let  their  guns  fall  into  their  hands,  and  bounded 
forward.  Onward  they  came,  and  now  the  lunbers  and  caissons 
of  the  two  pieces  in  the  field  are  reversed  and  hastily  retire, 
leaving  the  cannoneers  to  seek  shelter  where  best  they  may. 
This  movement  is  the  signal  for  another  yell,  and  the  guns  are 
captured.  For  a  moment  the  lines  seem  to  falter  as  though 
their  duty  had  been  performed,  and  then  again  they  advance. 

'•  Fire  !"'  The  command  rings  from  the  line  of  guns  in  the 
woods,  and  a  score  of  cannons  hurl  their  hundreds  of  missiles 
of  death  and  destruction  in  the  solid  mass  of  advancing  men. 
Wide,  gaping  avenues  are  mowed  by  the  resistless  canister  at 
point-blank  range,  and  the  dead  and  dying  lay  where  they  fell 
like  grass  in  the  swath  of  the  mower.  The  lines  quiver  and 
break,  but  the  officers  rally  their  followers,  and  in  a  moment 
are  ready  for  renewed  action.  Still  the  guns  belch  forth  their 
hail  of  iron  and  lead.  Again  the  reformed  lines  are  broken, 
and  resist  the  efi"orts  of  their  officer  to  reform  them,  and  con- 
fusion pervades  the  ranks.  Men  are  seen  to  throw  themselves 
on  the  ground  and  seek  shelter  behind  the  prostrate  forms  of 
their  dead  comrades.  Frenzied  with  excitement,  the  officers 
endeavor  to  cheer  their  men,  but  without  avail.  A  third  and 
fourth  attempt  is  made  to  renew  the  charge,  but  the  murderous 
fire  from  the  guns  has  had  its  influence,  and  the  men  will  no 
longer  face  the  wall  of  death.  They  break  again  ;  they  fly  and 
seek  the  shelter  of  the  woods  from  whence  they  came,  and  the 
setting  sun  now  breaks  out  from  among  the  clouds  and  tells 
us  that  the  day  is  ours. 

During  the  night  which  followed,  long  lines  of  men  from 
the  north  bank  of  the  Chickahominy  came  upon  the  field,  and 
the  dawn  of  day  found  the  gallant  Sumner  ready  for  the  fray. 
Fighting  Dick  Richardson  was  the  first  to  receive  the  compli- 
ments of  the  enemy,  and  right  well  he  accepted  them.     The 


THE   CORPS   OF   OnSERVATIOX.  303 

fields,  still  strewn  with  the  dead  and  wounded  of  the  day  before, 
were  fought  over  and  over  again,  until  at  last  the  enemy  with- 
drew to  the  former  grounds  of  Casey,  and  assumed  a  defensive 
position.  Now  was  the  time  for  the  decisive  blow,  but  it  fell 
not,  and  ere  the  midnight  hour  had  come  the  enemy  had  re- 
treated and  taken  up  a  new  position. 

During  the  fighting  of  the  first  day,  and  far  into  the  hours 
of  the  night,  Mr.  Wontus,  accompanied  by  Nidd  and  Thomson, 
had  endeavored  to  fulfill  their  self-imposed  duties,  and  many  a 
wounded,  dying  soldier  had  his  lips  moistened  and  his  terrible 
thirst  slaked  by  the  hands  of  the  corps  of  observation.  In  the 
misery  which  surrounded  him,  Wontus  appeared  to  forget  the 
dangers  and  fatigues  of  the  battle,  and  he  labored  as  he  had 
never  labored  before.  Nor  was  Mr.  Nidd  or  Thomas  Thomson 
backward  in  coming  forward,  but  each  did  his  best.  Early  in 
the  action,  Wilkins'had  started  to  search  for  a  spring  of  water, 
and  Wontus  was  charitable  enough  to  believe  that  the  reason 
he  did  not  return  was  because  he  was  lost  or  had  been  taken 
prisoner.  Neither  accident  had  occurred ;  Mr.  Wilkins  and 
his  mule  were  both  safe,  and  on  their  way  to  the  haunts  of  the 
sutlers  in  the  rear. 

:Mr.  Wontus  and  his  friends  had  spent  the  night  in  the  j)its 
with  Richardson,  and  the  dawn  of  day  found  them  astir. 
With  the  light  came  the  rebel  legions,  still  intent  on  the  anni- 
hilation of  the  left  wing.  The  — th  Pennsylvania,  the  — th 
New  York,  and  the  — th  Massachusetts  were  drawn  up  to 
receive  their  earliest  compliments,  and  acting  under  orders, 
our  hero  threw  himself  on  the  ground  behind  the  friendly 
heaps  of  dirt,  and  awaited  developments.  As  he  lay  there  he 
saw,  or  thought  he  saw,  the  fiice  of  a  man  he  had  seen  before, 
in  the  person  of  a  young  officer  wearing  the  insignia  of  a 
colonel,  who  dashed  hither  and  thither  with  a  bravery  that 
made  Mr.  Wontus  shudder.  Our  hero,  usually  forgetful, 
found  that  the  excitement  and  stirring  scenes  about  him 
caused  his  mind  to  wander  in  so  many  directions  that  it  was 
not  until  the  officer  dismounted  in  front  of  him  that  he  could 
concentrate  his  faculties,  and  then  he  recognized  the  face  of 
Colonel  Blakely. 

"  Good  morning,  colonel,"  cried  Richardson,  extending  his 
hand  and  speaking  in  a  manner  which  characterized  him  ;  ''  we 
are  likely  to  have  some  more  of  the  lively  times  of  yesterday ; 


304  woxTus,  on 

but,  old  fellow,  you've  been  in  the  saddle  all  night ;  you  must 
be  weary  ;  come,  take  something-.  Staff  duty's  not  so  liglit  as 
it  might  be.  eh?" 

Colonel  Blakely  returned  the  greeting  of  the  general  with 
warmth,  and  then  the  conversation  turned  upon  the  aff.iirs  of 
the  past,  and  Mr.  Wontus  learned  that  the  wound  which  the 
colonel  had  received  at  Brick  House  had  been  but  a  slight 
affair,  and  that  he  was  now  acting  as  a  staff  officer  of  the 
commanding  general.  He  had  been  engaged  all  night  iu 
carrying  instructions  and  posting  the  different  commands.  He 
had  fulfilled  his  duties,  and  now  wanted  to  sec  some  of  the 
fighting. 

It  was  while  this  conversation  between  General  Richardson 
and  Colonel  Blakely  was  going  on  that  a  man  from  one  of  the 
regiments  drawn  up  in  line  near  by  came  to  our  hero  and  asked 
for  a  chew  of  tobacco.  He  was  referred  to  Thomas  Thomson, 
and  while  he  was  engaged  in  cutting  a  slice  from  that  gentle- 
man's plug,  both  Wontus  and  Colonel  Blakely  looked  at  him 
as  one  often  does  at  the  men  who  pass  him  in  the  street,  and 
who  resemble,  in  some  strange,  unaccountable  way,  the  char- 
acters of  a  dream.  The  man  was  dressed  in  the  uniform  of  a 
private,  and  was  tall  and  commanding  in  his  presence.  His 
face  was  surrounded  with  heavy  black  whiskers,  and  the  pecu- 
liarity of  his  walk  gave  him  a  highly  military  air. 

As  the  soldier  deposited  the  tobacco  iu  his  mouth,  he  cast 
a  quick,  anxious  glance  toward  the  lines  of  the  enemy,  and 
then  took  his  place  in  his  company.  As  he  passed  Colonel 
Blakely  that  officer  looked  at  him  as  though  he  would  read 
his  very  thoughts,  and  then  fell  into  a  thoughtful  mood,  from 
which  he  was  soon  awakened  by  the  voice  of  the  general  call- 
ing his  attention  to  the  lines  of  gray  then  fringing  the  woods 
alone  the  Williamsburg  road. 

"  It  cannot  be,"  muttered  the  colonel,  as  he  cast  his  eyes  in 
the  direction  indicated  ;  •'  and  yet  the  walk  and  general  bearing 
of  the  man  is  the  same." 

''I  have  seen  that  individual  before,"  solilofjuized  Mr. 
Wontus,  as  he  watched  the  man  take  his  place  in  the  ranks. 
He  was  about  to  call  Mr.  Nidd's  attention  to  the  matter,  when 
the  action  along  the  front  became  general,  and  he  deferred  it 
until  a  more  quiet  opportunity  should  be  presented. 

Hours  passed,  each  second  of  which  were  recorded  by  the 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  305 

dying  breath  of  brave  men,  and  the  battle  was  at  its  height. 
The  regiment  from  whose  ranks  the  man  who  had  attracted 
the  attention  of  our  hero  and  the  youthful  colonel  came,  had 
been  held  in  reserve.  They  had  stood  manfully,  where  bullets 
flew  the  thickest,  awaiting  the  word  of  command.  ^Ir.  Won- 
tus  had  watched  the  man  with  anxiety,  and  despite  his  best 
efforts  to  the  contrary,  his  eyes  would  wander  to  that  portion 
of  the  line  where  the  strange  face — strange  because  it  was 
impressed  on  his  memory  and  yet  could  not  be  fixed — had 
taken  its  place.  There  had  been  a  lull  of  the  din  for  a  few 
moments,  and  Wontus  was  just  about  turning  his  attention  to 
another  direction,  when  the  man  whose  face  he  felt  so  much 
interest  in,  stepped  quickly  forward,  and  jumping  over  the 
rifle-pits,  loosened  his  belts,  and  with  a  wild  shout  threw  his 
gun  aside,  and  sprang  forward  across  the  field  in  the  direction 
of  the  enemy. 

"  A  spy  !"  "  A  deserter  !"  rang  out  from  a  score  of  voices, 
and  a  hundred  muskets  were  leveled  at  the  flying  man.  ^  But 
none  dared  shoot.  With  a  cat-like  spring,  a  lithe,  sinewy 
form  had  come  up  as  it  were  from  the  ground,  and  with 
mighty  strides  was  following  in  the  footsteps  of  the  deserter. 

^  Don't  shoot,  fellers !"  cried  a  voice  which  Mr.  Thomson 
at  once  recognized  as  his  old  friend  Birkill.  "  It's  Blakely, — 
Colonel  Blakely ;  an'  a  thousand  to  one  he  wins.  The  rebs 
are  retreatin',  an'  it's  a  long  chase."  A  cheer  greeted  this 
remark,  and  the  dangers  of  the  battle  were  lost  in  the  excite- 
ment of  the  chase.  Nearly  a  mile  now  intervened  betvreen  the 
lines  of  Casey  and  those  of  the  enemy,  and  the  country  was 
clear  and  level.  Onward  flew  the  deserter,  and  at  his  heels 
was  his  pursuer.  Men  volunteered  to  go  to  his  assistance,  but 
they  were  denied  the  privilege.  Now  he  gains ;  again  he  loses ; 
he  falls  ;  and  the  deserter  will  escape  ;  a  shade  of  sorrow  passes 
over  the  faces  of  the  men.  Again  he  has  him  almost  within 
his  grasp,  and  now  a  curl  of  smoke  is  seen  to  ascend  from  the 
hand  of  the  pursuer,  and  the  deserter  falters,  swings  his  arms 
in  the  air — falls. 

Wontus  and  Nidd,  who  had  been  witnesses  to  the  whole 
afi"air,  could  no  longer  restrain  themselves,  and  with  a  shout 
from  Nidd,  such  as  was  never  heard  before  and  will  probably 
never  be  heard  again,  the  two  gentlemen  left  their  shelter  and 
made  their  way  to  the  spot  as  fast  as  the  short  legs  and  short 

26* 


306  WOXTCS,  OR 

wind  of  ]Mr.  Wontus  would  permit.  It  was  probably  fortunate 
that  Gorman  at  this  moment  struck  the  rebel  left  and  drew  his 
attention  in  that  direction,  otherwise  the  little  knot  of  men 
who  had  assembled  in  mid-field,  about  the  wounded  man,  might 
liave  come  in  for  a  disagreeable  share  of  utt<intion.  As  it  was, 
they  were  unmolested. 

"  Is  he  badly  hurt?"  asked  Wontus,  between  breaths. 

"  I  hope  not,"  remarked  Colonel  Blakely.  '•  I  saw  that  if  I 
did  not  bring  him  to  a  stand-still  quickly,  that  it  was  likely  he 
would  reach  the  enemy's  lines  ere  I  could  come  up  with  him ; 
so,  after  repeated  warnings,  which  I  am  sure  he  must  have 
heard,  I  drew  my  pistol  and  fired.     I  am  sorry " 

"  Not  a  bit,  sir  !  not  a  bit !  '  interrupted  2s  idd.  '•  There  is 
no  occasion  for  it.  The  man  was  not  only  attempting  to  desert 
from  his  command,  but  was  endeavoring  to  play  the  part  of  a 
spy,  and  carry  information  to  the  enemy.  There  is  no  occasion 
to  be  sorry  for  what  you  have  done,  sir ;  not  a  bit.  A  few 
more  men  like  you,  sir,  would " 

"  AVe  had  better  carry  him  to  the  rear,"  interrupted  the 
colonel,  who  evidently  had  no  desire  to  listen  to  his  own 
praise. 

The  wounded  man  lay  on  the  ground,  his  eyes  closed  and 
his  face  wearing  the  appearance  of  death.  As  Mr.  \Yontus 
stooped  by  his  side  and  parted  his  lips,  that  he  might  pour  a 
little  water  into  his  mouth,  the  crimson  tide  from  his  heart 
came  gushing  forth,  and  a  convulsive  shudder  ran  through  his 
frame. 

"Thank  Heaven,  he  is  not  dead!"  exclaimed  the  colonel, 
who  had  been  an  anxious  witness  to  the  scene.-  "  Now  let  us 
get  him  to  the  rear,  where  a  surgeon  can  be  found.  It  is  dan- 
gerous here." 

A  blanket  was  procured,  and  the  prostrate  form  of  the  de- 
serter lifted  into  it,  and  in  that  manner  conveyed  to  the  hos- 
pital, established  in  the  shade  of  the  pine-trees  which  had 
masked  the  cannon  on  the  day  before.  It  was  during  the 
walk  to  the  hospital  that  Mr.  Wontus  entered  into  conversa- 
tion with  Colonel  Blakely,  and  expressed  the  idea  that  by 
some  singular  accident,  fur  which  he  could  not  then  account, 
the  man  had  impressed  him  when  he  first  came  to  him  and 
asked  him  for  tobacco,  and  he  found  it  impossible  to  dismiss 
him  from  his  thoufrhts. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATTON.  307 

"  I  feel  sure,"  remarked  the  colonel,  "  that  I  know  the 
man."  And  as  he  sjioke  a  shade  of  sorrow  passed  over  his  ex- 
pressive face ;  but  in  a  moment  he  continued  :  "  Yes,  I  feel 
sure  that  I  know  him,  and  yet  the  circumstances  of  to-day  and 
those  under  which  we  last  met  are  so  widely  different  from 
what  I  should  reasonably  expect,  that  I  am  half  inclined  to 
believe  that,  after  all,  I  must  be  mistaken." 

The  colonel  ceased  speaking,  and  fell  into  a  contemplative 
mood. 

Wontus  was  completely  mystified  by  the  language  of  his 
companion,  but  he  refrained  from  intruding  upon  him  by 
questioninp:.  and  they  followed  along  in  silence. 

The  fighting  had  now  fairly  ceased,  each  combatant  feeling 
satisfied  to  remain  on  his  own  gTound  without  disturbing  his 
antagonist.  The  muskets  of  the  troops  were  stacked,  and  the 
men  at  "  rest"  in  line  of  battle.  Each  looked  forward  to  a 
renewal  of  the  fight. 

"  It  is  comfortable,"  remarked  Mr.  Nidd,  as  the  blanket 
containing  the  deserter  was  deposited  on  the  moss-covered 
ground,  "  to  have  this  infernal  shooting  at  an  end.  It  is 
wearisome,  to  say  nothing  of  the  danger." 

As  Nidd  spoke,  a  surgeon  made  his  appearance,  and  the 
gentlemen  assembled  around  to  hear  his  report  of  the  case. 
Among  these  jMr.  Nidd  was  foremost.  The  blanket  was  rolled 
down,  and  as  the  surgeon  turned  the  man  upon  his  back,  Nidd 
gave  vent  to  an  exclamation  of  surprise,  and  then  grasping 
Mr.  Wontus's  arm,  led  that  gentleman  aside,  and  whispered 
that  he  knew  the  man. 

"  You  do  ?"  asked  Wontus,  in  surprise. 

"  I  do  !"  answered  Nidd,  decisively. 

"  I  thought  /did,  but  I  can't  place  him,"  returned  Wontus. 

"  You  can't  ?"  And  ]Mr.  Nidd  held  his  friend  off  at  arms- 
length  and  looked  into  his  face  with  the  air  of  a  man  who 
doubts. 

"  Well,  I  think  I  know  him  ;  but  you  know  my  memory  is 
not  very  good,  and  I've  forgotten  where  I  have  seen  him." 
Mr.  Wontus  spoke  sorrowfully. 

"  Not  know  him?"  cried  Nidd  again. 

Mr.  Wontus  declared  that  he  did  not. 

"  Do  you  recollect  the  man  that  brought  us  the  word  of 
Wilkins's  arrest  in  Philadelphia?" 


308  wo  XT  US,  OR 

"  Yes." 

"  Do  you  recollect  his  peculiar  style?" 

"  Yes." 

"  Don't  you  remember  his  name?" 

'•  I  do  not,"  replied  Wontus.  reflecting. 

"  Wasn't  it  Flick.— Major  Flick  ?" 

Mr.  Wontus  stood  back  airhast.  He  was  startled  as  thou<xh 
a  stream  of  electricity  had  suddenly  passed  through  his  frame, 
and  for  a  moment  he  was  speechless. 

"  It  cannot  be  !"  he  cried  at  length. 

"  It  is  !"  replied  Nidd. 

"  Let  me  see,"  cried  our  hero.  And  he  pushed  his  way 
through  the  crowd,  and  for  a  moment  stood  looking  into  the 
now  upturned  face  in  silence.  "  Colonel,"  said  he  at  length, 
addressing  Blakely,  "  I  know  that  man.  I  met  him  in  Phila- 
delphia. He  was  then  a  major  on  secret  service,  or  at  least 
represented  himself  as  such,  and  I  am  surprised  to  see  him 
here.  His  name  is  Flick  !"  Mr.  Wontus  looked  about  him 
as  though  he  deserved  credit  for  the  developments  he  had 
made. 

Colonel  Blakely  raised  his  eyes  from  the  ground,  but  made 
no  reply.  A  deeply  solemn  look  overspread  his  foce,  and  his 
thoughts  seemed  to  be  far  away  amid  the  scenes  of  Alabama. 
The  lovely  form  of  a  bright  and  beautiful  girl  was  once  again 
by  his  side,  and  the  rich  blood  of  3'outh  came  unbidden  to  his 
cheek.  It  faded  and  was  gone  in  a  moment,  and  his  eyes 
wandered  to  the  form  which  kiy  stretched  before  him.  Mem- 
ory, quickened  by  a  face  that  was  branded  on  his  heart  by 
injustice  and  cruelty,  now  presented  a  different  scene.  He 
saw  himself  again  the  reviled  visitor  where  he  should  have 
been  the  flivored  guest,  and  felt  anew  the  pangs  of  grief 
caused  by  the  cruelty  of  a  love  that  once  was  his.  Again  the 
scenes  of  his  undeserved  disgrace  came  before  him,  and  he 
clutched  his  hands  and  his  brows  knit  with  the  recollections 
of  his  pain.  And  now  he  lies  there,  a  wounded,  dying  man, 
and  by  the  hands  of  the  man  he  has  so  deeply,  so  cruelly, 
wronged.  The  author  of  his  misery,  the  fountain  from  which 
sprang  his  first  moments  of  bitterness,  is  here  as  helpless  as  a 
babe,  and  in  his  power.  Suddenly  he  raised  his  head,  and  a 
brighter  and  more  cheerful  look  has  overspread  his  counte- 
nance, and  as  he  stoops  to  c^uestion  the  surgeon  as  to  the 


THE  conrs  of  onsEHVATiox.  309 

nature  of  tlie  -wound,  a  deep  sigh  escaped  his  lips :  "  Th^  will 
be  done  /" 

''  He  is  dying,"  rcmavked  the  surgeon ;  "  the  ball  has 
passed  entirely  through  his  body,  in  the  immediate  neighbor- 
hood of  the  heart,  lie  must  bleed  to  death ;  no  power  on 
earth  can  save  him." 

Men  who  had  faced  death  in  all  its  hideous  forms,  and  had 
heard  the  cry  of  the  wounded  and  the  dying,  stood  in  silence, 
and  a  shudder  ran  through  the  group. 

"Dying — will  bleed  to  death?"  The  man  opened  his 
eyes,  and  his  voice  sounded  hollow  and  thin.  "  Water !"  he 
gasped,  and  the  sympathetic  hand  of  Mr.  AVontus  was 
stretched  toward  him  in  a  moment.  "  Dying  !  me  dying  ?  oh, 
no,  do  not  tell  me  that !"  And  again  his  eyes  closed  and  all 
was  silent. 

"  I  must  leave  you,"  whispered  the  colonel  to  Mr.  Wontus. 
"  Do  whatever  lies  in  your  power  to  make  him  comfortable, 
and  when  all  is  over  be  kind  enough  to  report  to  me  at  head- 
quarters." 

"  Stop  !"  The  dying  man  opened  his  eyes  again  and  threw 
them  full  upon  the  face  of  the  officer.  He  would  have  risen, 
but  weakness  and  the  friendly  hand  of  Mr.  Wontus  prevented 
him.  "  Do  not  go  now,"  he  moaned  ;  "  I  know  you, — I  have 
done  my  worst,  and  my  course  is  nearly  run." 

"  Never  mind,  my  man,"  said  the  colonel,  soothingly. 
"  Keep  perfectly  quiet,  and  you  may  see  better  days  yet." 

"Ha,  ha!"  The  laugh  was  bitter  and  defiant.  "You 
would  pretend  you  did  not  know  me ;  I  know  you  do  know 
me ;  I  knew  it  this  morning,  but  I  little  thought  that  you 
were  the  man  that  would  bring  me  here."  He  ceased  speak- 
ing for  a  moment  and  appeared  to  be  in  great  pain.  "  God  be 
merciful,"  he  continued ;  "  I  have  deserved  much,  but  not 
this.  (Blakely  was  moving  oiF.)  One  moment,"  cried  the 
suffering  man,  "  I  have  much  that  I  wish  to  tell  you  ;  I  will 
soon  pass  away  ;  it  will  relieve  my  soul  to  tell  it.  I  have  dis- 
graced myself  and  all  who  belong  to  me ;  I  married  the  girl 
you  loved, — the  girl  who  loved  you,  and  from  that  day  I  have 
drank  the  dregs  of  bitterness.  I  sought  it  not ;  it  sought  me, 
and  I  was  powerless  to  resist.  I  played  the  part  of  a  spy  in 
Washington,  and  tiring  of  that  I  returned  South  and  joined 
my  regiment,  only  to  desert  and  play  the  part  of  a  Yankee  in 


310  wax  TVS,  OR 

the  cities  of  the  West  and  North.  (Xidd  and  Wontus  ex- 
changed glances.)  I  was  without  money,  and  I  became  a 
politician  and  a  recruiting  agent." 

''  Your  wife?"  interrupted  the  colonel. 

"  She  is — I  know  not  where,"  groaned  the  major.  "  I  have 
not  seen  her  since  I  left  Washington." 

Mr.  Wontus  was  about  to  si3eak,  but  he  was  prevented  by 
the  niitjor,  who  continued  to  relate  how  he  had  inveigled  men 
into  the  army  for  the  little  money  he  made  by  it,  and  how  he 
finally  enlisted  himself,  with  the  determination  to  desert  at  the 
first  opportunity,  and  convey  what  information  lie  possessed  to 
the  authorities  at  Eichmond.  "  I  knew,"  he  continued,  after 
moistening  his  lips.  "  that  I  would  be  well  known  there,  and 
that  my  action  would  be  applauded."  x\gain  he  ceased  speak- 
ing, and  the  whisper  went  round  the  circle  that  he  was  passing 
away. 

"  No,  no,"  gasped  the  dying  man  ;  "  I  am  not  dying.  I  am 
not  fit  to  die.  There  are  those  that  I  would  like  to  speak  to ; 
I  have  much  to  say.  See,  I  am  not  dying."  And  as  he  spoke 
he  raised  himself  up,  only  to  faW  back  into  Wontus's  arms  in 
a  swoon.  The  effort  had  been  too  much  for  his  exhausted 
strength,  and  the  blood  flowed  in  a  stream  from  his  mouth. 
His  eyes  were  already  sunken  and  glassy,  and  his  groans  were 
growing  fainter.  The  scene  was  most  afiectiug;  and  while 
none  that  were  here  now  had  been  acquainted  befoi*e,  yet  the 
knowledge  that  each  possessed  of  the  other,  and  the  circum- 
stances that  had  brought  them  together,  seemed  to  bind  them 
as  a  circle  of  friends. 

The  movement  made  by  Wontus  in  passing  the  dying  man 
into  the  hands  of  Nidd  and  the  colonel  started  the  spark  of 
life  anew.  "  Kate — mother,"  he  muttered.  "  I  curse  myself" 
And  he  ceased  to  speak  forever.  Gently  the  body  was  laid 
upon  the  sod,  and  as  the  hands  of  Colonel  Blakely  covered  the 
body  with  a  blanket,  a  tear  stole  into  Mr.  Wontus"s  eyes,  and 
his  thoughts  flew  back  to  the  invalid  in  Washington. 

In  a  rifle-pit  which  skirted  the  railroad  midway  between 
Savage  Station  and  Fair  Oaks  the  body  of  the  deceased  was 
deposited ;  and  as  the  warm,  wet  earth  fell  upon  the  unknown 
corpses  which  lined  the  bottom  of  the  ditch,  Mr.  Wontus,  who 
had  been  a  silent  spectator,  stepped  aside  and  fainted.  The 
excitement  had  overtasked  him. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  311 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

MR.   NIDD  TAKES  A  RIDE,  AND  HAS  AN  UNEXPECTED  MEET- 
ING WITH   HIS  RIVAL. 

Mr.  Wontus  was  not  alone  in  the  idea  that  the  moment 
was  now  at  hand  when  the  backbone  of  the  rebellion  would 
be  broken  by  the  entrance  of  the  armies  into  Richmond,  and 
that  the  moment  which  should  witness  the  deed  was  near, 
very  near.  Certainly  fifteen  millions  of  people  were  with  him 
in  the  belief,  and  wore  correspondingly  happy.  Of  these, 
eighty  thousand  men,  armed  and  equipped  for  war,  were  about 
him,  each  feeling  assured  that  the  decisive  moment  was  at 
hand.  Few  meu,  if  any,  believe  at  the  commencement  of  a 
battle  that  they  individually  have  been  chosen  for  the  sacri-" 
fice.  It  is  a  welcome,  but  perhaps  a  selfish,  thought,  that  the 
comrade  on  your  right,  and  he  on  your  left,  will  perhaps  fall, 
but  that  you  are  to  be  saved ;  and  yet  so  it  is,  and  fortunately 
so,  for  much  grief  and  pain  are  hidden  in  the  thought. 

The  morning  of  the  13th  of  June,  1862,  broke  clear  and 
beautiful ;  but  it  was  not  the  only  thing  that  broke  that  morn- 
ing by  any  means.  Since  the  commencement  of  the  war 
"  miisked  batteries"  had  been  epidemic,  but  now  a  new  disease 
broke  suddenly  forth,  and  without  a  note  of  warning  played 
sad  havoc  not  only  with  the  material  of  the  army  but  with 
the  morals  of  the  men  composing  it.  The  new  disease  was  a 
"  raid,"  but  as  yet  it  had  affected  but  one  side.  "  Everything 
quiet  in  every  direction,''  wrote  the  commander  to  the  Presi- 
dent. While  he  wrote,  fifteen  hundred  of  the  enemy  were 
gobbling  up  prisoners  and  destroying  stores  and  communica- 
tions on  the  road  between  his  headquarters  and  his  base  of 
supplies.  The  first  intimation  which  most  of  the  men  of 
the  army  had  of  the  event  was  three  days  after,  on  the  arrival 
of  the  mails. 

It  was  on  this  interesting  occasion  that  Mr.  Nidd  found 
himself  on  a  train  of  cars  on  his  way  to  the  White  House  in 
quest  of  provisions  for  the  mess.     It  was  full  three  days  be- 


312  wo X TVS,  OR 

fore  he  would  vcutiire  to  return,  and  when  he  did  so  he  gave 
the  following  explanation  to  clear  up  the  mystery  of  his 
absence.  Said  he :  ''  AVe  were  going  along  over  the  road 
smoothly,  and  were  just  going  to  slacken  up  for  water,  when 
I  heard  an  unearthly  yell,  accompanied  by  the  clatter  of  small- 
arms.  It  was  the  first  intimation  we  had  of  anything  in  the 
shape  of  an  enemy  being  anywhere  near  us.  Our  train  was 
made  up  of  about  ten  or  a  dozen  freight  cars,  and  I  was  on 
the  enuine. 

"  •  There's  the  rebels  !'  shouted  the  fireman,  pointing  to  a 
field  adjoining  the  railroad,  and  he  threw  himself  at  full  length 
on  the  wood-pile  in  the  back  part  of  the  tender.  I  was  some- 
what startled, — I  may  have  been  frightened  for  the  moment, 
— and  on  looking  around,  I  saw  about  three  hundred  ranged 
along  the  railroad,  tiring  away  at  us  as  if  it  was  a  glorious 
piece  of  fun,  and  I  guess  it  was,  but  I  must  acknowledge  that 
I  didn't  enjoy  it,  at  least  not  at  that  time.  '  Down  !  down  !' 
cried  the  engineer,  and,  Avith  a  courage  and  presence  of  mind 
which  does  him  honor,  the  fellow  pulled  the  throttle-valve  out 
to  its  greatest  limit,  and  then  both  of  us  took  our  places  with 
the  fireman  on  the  bottom  of  the  tender.  Without  waiting 
to  say  '  by  your  leave,'  or  even  '  good-by,'  the  locomotive 
dashed  over  the  rough  track,  and  before  we  were  well  collected 
in  our  thoughts,  the  yells  and  shouts  had  died  in  the  distance, 
and  we  went  dashing  into  the  White  House  as  though  the 
devil  himself  had  sent  us. 

"  The  news  of  the  raid  had  preceded  us,  and  when  we 
told  our  story  the  excitement  and  confusion  among  the  army 
of  sutlers  and  others  was  beyond  description.  Men  seized 
horses  wherever  they  could  and  prepared  for  flight  without 
knowing  which  direction  to  go,  and  the  quartermastei-s  were 
busy  moving  their  stores  aboard  the  transports.  Seeing  all 
this,  and  not  knowing  exactly  what  was  the  matter,  I  reflected 
on  my  favorite  maxim,  that  self-preservation  is  the  first  law 
of  nature,  and  then  concluded  to  take  care  of  myself 

"  You  recollect  the  bank  and  underbrush  by  the  side  of  the 
railroad  near  the  spring,"  continued  the  speaker  to  Mr.  Won- 
tus.  "  Well,  just  as  I  noticed  the  place,  somebody  cried, 
'  Here  they  come !'  and  not  being  able  to  get  on  board  any  of 
the  vessels  I  made  for  the  bank,  found  a  neat  hole,  well  shel- 
tered from  view,  which  I  undertook  to  crawl  in.     But  I 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  313 

couldn't.  There  was  somctliliii;-  or  somebody  else  there  before 
me,  but  as  there  was  no  time  for  ceremony  I  took  all  the  risks 
and  crawled  in  as  far  as  I  could.  I  touched  a  foot ;  it  shrunk 
up.  I  grasped  further  and  touched  a  leg.  (Mr.  Wontus 
shuddered.)  That  foot  and  that  leg  belonged  to  somebody, 
that  I  knew ;  and  as  we  were  likely  to  be  companions  for  a 
time,  I  thought  I'd  find  out  who  it  was. 

"  '  Say,'  said  I,  calmly,  for  fear  1  might  make  a  mistake  ;  but 
I  received  no  answer. 

"  '  Say,'  I  repeated  ;  but  still  no  answer.  The  thought  struck 
me,  perhaps  the  man  is  dead.  I  felt  his  leg  ;  it  was  warm,  and 
I  think  it  trembled  a  little.  I  was  now  pretty  well  interested 
in  a  new  direction.  I  waited  a  little  while  and  then  thought 
I  would  try  something  new. 

"'They  are  right  on  top  of  us!'  I  cried,  in  a  startling 
whisper.  A  groan,  an  unearthly  groan,  answered  me,  and  I 
crowded  up  closer." 

"  Weren't  you  afraid  ?"  asked  Mr.  Wontus. 

"Yes,"  continued  Nidd,  "I  must  acknowledge  that  I  felt 
rather  strange,  but  I  felt  that  the  man  in  front  of  me  was  feel- 
ing worse  than  I  was ;  I  apprehended  danger  from  the  outside 
only.     But  to  continue. 

"  '  Isn't  it  pretty  uncomfortable  in  here  ?'  I  asked.  Another 
groan,  deeper  and  more  distressing  than  the  others,  was  the 
only  reply,  and  then  everything  was  silent." 

"I'd  a'  pulled  him  out,"  cried  Mr.  Wilkins,  with  spirit. 

Mr.  Nidd  made  no  reply,  but  casting  a  withering  glance  at 
the  speaker,  continued :  "  I  was  in  the  hole,  I  guess,  as  much 
as  ten  minutes ;  but  the  heat  was  so  intolerable  and  the  air  so 
close  that  I  must  either  get  out  or  die  ;  so  I  backed  out.  There 
was  plenty  of  excitement  about  still,  but  I  saw  nothing  like 
fi»;htin.i>;,  and  in  the  course  of  half  an  hour  the  scouts  had  re- 


'm 


turned,  and  everything  had  become  more  settled.     The  scare 
was  pretty  well  over. 

"  Wait  a  moment!"  commanded  Mr.  Nidd,  as  Wontus  was 
about  to  say  something.     "  I'll  soon  finish  it  now. 

"  '  Halloo,  there  !'  I  shouted  to  the  man  in  the  hole.  '  Come 
out !  it's  all  right !'  No  answer.  Perhaps  the  man  will  die, 
I  thought ;  perhaps  he  might  smother.  So  I  cravrlcd  in  a  little 
way  and  took  hold  of  his  foot.  '  Come  out,'  said  I,  '  it's  all  right. 
The  enemy  have  gone.' 

0  27 


3U  WOXTUS,  OR 

"  '  You  want  to  come  in  here  yourself.'  suiJ  the  voice. 

"  '  Don't  be  a  fool !'  I  continued.  '  What  would  I  want  to 
come  in  for  ?  I  am  outside,  and  as  there  is  nobody  here  to 
harm  me,  I'll  stay  here.' 

"  '  Are  they  all  gone  ?'  asked  the  voice,  with  more  spirit 
than  it  had  yet  evinced. 

"  '  All  gone,'  said  I.  I  could  hear  the  fellow  working  him- 
self out,  and  I  stood  and  watched  for  his  appearance.  First 
one  leg  came  out,  then  the  other,  and  then  he  stopped. 

"  '  What's  the  matter  ?'  I  cried. 

"  '  Are  they  really  gone  ?'  asked  the  fellow,  peeping  out  from 
under  his  arm. 

"  '  Certainly,'  said  I. 

"  '  They're  not !'  said  the  fellow,  and  suddenly  he  commenced 
working  back  into  the  hole  again.  I  thought  perhaps  the  man 
was  somewhat  unduly  frightened,  and  to  get  him  out  of  that  con- 
dition as  soon  as  possible,  I  took  hold  of  one  of  his  feet,  and 
before  he  knew  exactly  what  was  the  matter,  I  dragged  him 
out  and  took  a  glance  at  him.  A  man  stood  before  me  who 
looked  as  though  he  had  done  himself  up  in  such  a  style  as  to 
be  able  to  pass  himself  off  for  a  lump  of  clay.  He  was  mud 
from  head  to  foot.     His  parents  wouldn't  have  known  him. 

" '  You  appear  to  have  been  somewhat  frightened,'  said  the 
fellow,  as  if  he  had  done  me  a  great  favor  by  coming  out  of 
the  hole. 

"  I  could  have  butted  my  head  against  a  tree,"  cried  Xidd, 
rising  from  his  seat  as  he  spoke,  his  face  assuming  a  livid  hue. 
"  The  man  I  did  not  know ;  the  voice  I  did :  it  belonged  to 
Scribendi !"' 

On  this  announcement,  Wontus  laughed  most  heartily,  and 
it  was  only  after  considerable  trouble  that  Mr.  Nidd  could  be 
induced  to  finish  the  story,  which  was  to  the  effect  that  the 
moment  Edward  Pason  Montcalm  Higginson.  otherwise  Scri- 
bendi,  brushed  the  dirt  from  his  person,  he  proceeded  directly 
to  the  headquarters  of  the  officer  in  charge,  and  there  related, 
in  the  most  particular  way  imaginable,  exactly  how  he  had 
fought  some  half  a  dozen  of  the  enemy  until  he  was  felled  to 
t1ie  ground  and  left  there  for  dead.  He  went  further  than 
this,  and  announced  that  no  fears  of  an  attack  should  be  appre- 
hended, as  he  had  watched  the  enemy — exactly  how  many  he 
could  not  tell — cross  over  the  river  a  few  miles  distant.     But 


THE  CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  315 

what  warmed  Mr.  Nidd  more  than  all  the  rest  was  the  fact 
that  such  were  the  airs  and  graces  of  the  man  that  none  seemed 
capable  of  doubting  his  word,  and  he  (Nidd)  was  too  angry 
to  be  able  to  disabuse  their  minds  of  the  deceit  practiced  upon 
them.  He  did  undertaJie  to  relate  the  facts  to  one  or  two 
officers  whom  chance  threw  in  his  way,  but  they  seemed  to  ac- 
cept his  story  as  the  tale  of  a  harmless  lunatic,  and  passed  it 
by  w^ith  a  wink  and  an  incredulous  smile. 

"  Why,  he's  not  a  patriot !'"  cried  Wontus,  at  the  finishing 
of  the  recital.  "  He  has  no  business  to  be  here.  A  man  like 
that,  besides  being  a  coward,  is  a  liar,  and  can't  be  trusted  !" 

Mr.  Wontus's  voice  and  manner  were  that  of  a  man  who 
deeply  felt  all  he  said,  and  ere  anybody  had  an  opportunity 
to  disprove  or  verify  his  assertion  he  had  gone  off  into  such  a 
quantity  of  abuse  that  a  stranger  coming  in  just  at  this  time 
might  imagine  that  he  was  the  party  who  had  been  stung. 

The  moment  an  opportunity  offered,  Mr.  Nidd  opened  his 
vocal  batteries  in  his  own  peculiar  style,  and  from  the  manner 
in  which  his  eyes  rolled  and  snapped  I  infer  that  the  presence 
of  Edward  Pason  Montcalm  Higginson  at  that  particular  mo- 
ment would  have  been  the  signal  for  a  scene. 

"  You  thought,"  cried  Nidd,  turning  to  Mr.  Wontus,  "that 
I  disliked  that  man  without  cause ;  that  I  was  prejudiced 
against  him ;  that  I  fancied  he  stood  in  my  way  in  a  matter 
not  necessary  to  mention  here.  Well,  sir,  you  were  mistaken. 
He  is  a  counterfeit, — the  spurious  y«c-si*»i?7e  of  a  gentleman, 
with  all  the  details  well  attended  to,  but  a  bad  signature, — a 
very  bad  signature,  because  it  contains  all  the  elements  of  an 
imitation  in  every  line.  Why,  it  looks  as  though  it  would 
insinuate  itself  into  your  confidence  and  respect  by  its  very 
shape.  But  it's  bad.  I  knew  it  the  moment  it  discovered 
that  we  were  not  the  men  it  took  us  for  when  it  first  presented 
itself  to  our  attention  in  Philadelphia." 

The  vehemence  and  bitterness  of  Mr.  Nidd  had  a  soothing 
influence  on  Wontus,  and  assuring  his  friend  that  he  would 
never  be  deceived  again,  the  gentlemen  proceeded  to  dispose 
of  the  trifles  which  had  been  secured  at  the  White  House,  and 
in  the  stories  which  fell  from  the  lips  of  genial  souls  who  had 
been  invited  to  participate  the  experiences  of  Mr.  Nidd  were 
forgotten,  although  that  gentleman  persisted  in  having  the  last 
words,  and  they  were  entirely  too  vehement  to  be  polite. 


316  woyrus,  or 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 

AN    EXCELLENT    CHAPTER,    BECAUSE    IT    IS    SHORT,    AND  AC- 
COUNTS FOR  SOME  THINGS  NOT  ACCOUNTED  FOR  BEFORE. 

In  conversiition  Gascon  Xidd  invariably  spoke  of  the  ladies 
in  a  way  strangely  at  variance  with  his  conduct  when  in  their 
presence.  He  resembled  in  some  degree  those  insects  which 
flutter  in  and  about  the  city  street  lamps  in  midsummer. 
Those  that  are  inside  seem  to  desire  to  be  out,  and  those  out- 
side seem  to  be  exerting  all  their  powers  to  get  in.  In  other 
words,  before  his  wife's  death,  he  was  constantl}-  preaching 
how  much  better  off  a  bachelor  was  than  a  benedict ;  but  as 
a  widower  his  actions  belied  his  words,  and  he  seemed  ready 
to  assume  the  hymeneal  noose  whenever  opportunity  presented. 
Being  of  a  cynical  turn  of  thinking,  however,  he  frequently 
selected  in  his  mind  the  woman  he  would  marry,  and  just  as 
frequently  determined  to  look  further  before  he  acted.  And 
he  was  sly,  very  sly,  in  all  his  movements  in  this  direction,  for 
while  Mr.  Wontus  was  familiar  with  the  fiict  that  he  (Xidd) 
had  had  a  desire  to  cultivate  an  intimacy  with  Mrs.  Squirm, 
yet  he  had  no  idea  that  that  lady's  image  was  still  lingering  in 
the  mind  of  his  friend.  But  the  image  was  there,  and  why 
it  lingered  was  because  Mr.  Xidd  was  in  possession  of  certain 
intelligence,  which  may,  in  a  manner,  account  for  the  hatred 
which  he  felt  for  Edward  Pason  Montcalm  Higginson,  other- 
wise Scribendi. 

How  Mr.  Xidd  ever  developed  the  fact  will  probably  never 
be  known,  but  a  fact  it  is,  that  he  was  in  the  possession  of 
the  knowledge  that  Mrs.  Squirm,  in  whose  house  the  corps  had 
lodged  while  in  Philadelphia,  was  the  sole  owner  of  a  given 
number  of  thousands  of  dollars,  which  were  invested  in  sun- 
dry back-allej-  houses,  which  houses  rented  at  very  high 
prices  and  were  therefore  valuable.  Xow,  whether  these  back- 
alley  houses  had  anything  to  do  with  Xidd's  regard  for  the 
owner  of  the  houses,  I  cannot  say.  but  I  am  inclined  to  be- 
lieve that  they  had.     In  fact,  he  had  frequently  made  up  his 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  317 

mind  that  on  his  return  from  the  war  he  would  propose  to 
these  baek-alley  houses,  and  if  accepted,  would  move  to  the 
Quaker  City  and  spend  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  ease  and 
comfort.  He  knew  that  the  idea  was  a  selfish  one,  and  he 
wondered  what  kind  of  a  reception  he  would  meet  w^th  at 
the  hands  of  Mrs.  Squirm  in  case  he  carried  it  out.  This  was 
a  question  which  he  frequently  propounded  to  himself,  and 
at  length  he  settled  himself  down  into  the  belief  that  if  one 
man — just  one  man — was  out  of  his  way,  there  would  be  but 
little  difficulty  in  his  prosecuting  his  claim  successfully. 
There,  and  only  there,  he  believed,  lay  the  trouble  of  a  suc- 
cessful suit.  He  was  vain  enough  to  think  that  but  few 
w^omeu  could  resist  his  overtures ;  but  he  felt  that  in  the  per- 
son of  Mr.  Higginson  he  had  a  man  who  was  at  least  danger- 
ous. "He's  so  plausible,"  he  would  say;  "and  has  got  so 
many  ways  about  him  which  are  false,  but  which  look  so  nice 
on  the  surflice,  that  there  is  scarcely  one  woman  in  every  one 
thousand  who  wouldn't  take  him  for  the  genuine  article." 
And  then  he  regretted  that  he  was  without  those  elements 
which  would  enable  him  to  make  people  believe  that  he  was 
what  he  was  not ;  and  he  turned  the  matter  over  in  his  mind 
many  times,  and  found  but  one  solution  to  the  difficulty.  The 
man,  Mr.  Higginson,  must  be  got  rid  of  But  how  was  this 
to  be  done  ?  Of  course  men  disappeared  in  the  army  and  were 
never  heard  of  afterwards,  and  no  questions  were  asked ;  but 
Nidd  recoiled  from  the  idea  of  doing  the  act  himself,  and  he 
lived  on  with  \h.Q  hope  that  accident  might  do  the  work 
which  he  could  not  do  himself. 


CHAPTER   XXX.  * 


TELLS  OF  COLONEL  BLAKELY's  LOVE THE  CHANGE  OF  BASE 

AND    WONTUS'S    REINFORCEMENT    OF   THE    ARMY. 

For  nearly  a  month  after  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  the  army 
maintained  its  position  in  front  of  the  rebel  capital,  and  Mr. 
Wontus  found  himself  and  his  party  the  welcome  guests  of 
Colonel  Blakely. 


318  WOXTFS,  OR 

Mr.  Wontiis  had  commniiicated  all  the  infunnation  in  his 
possession  concerning  Mrs.  Flick  to  his  friend,  and  after  a  great 
deal  of  trouble  Mr.  Wontus  had  written  to  the  lady,  inform- 
ing her  of  the  death  of  her  husband.  He  was  careful  not  to 
harrow  her  already  wounded  feelings  by  the  recital  of  the  cir- 
cumstances attending  her  husband's  death,  and  studiously 
avoided  (by  request)  any  mention  of  Colonel  Blakely  in  con- 
nection with  the  affair. 

Wilkins,  whom  we  left  on  his  way  to  the  White  House  at 
the  commencement  of  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  had  returned. 
Nidd  had  become  well  acquainted  through  the  army,  and  was 
valued  by  those  who  admired  candor  and  plain  speaking.  The 
battles  at  Hanover  Court-House  and  Mechanicsville  hud  taken 
place ;  the  different  railroads  leading  toward  Washington  from 
Richmond  had  been  "  raided  "  and  tapped,  and  everything  was 
ready,  if  I  may  except  the  commanding  general  for  the  attack 
on  the  rebel  stronghold.  McCall  had  come  with  liis  troops, 
and  the  people  of" the  country  were  waiting  with  breathless 
anxiety  for  the  end,  which  had  been  promised  them  day  after 
day  for  weeks. 

And  it  rained. 

I  cannot  undertake  to  relate,  or  even  epitomize,  the  conver- 
sations which  took  place  between  our  friends  and  Colonel 
Blakely.  Let  it  therefore  suffice  for  me  to  say  that  they  un- 
derstood each  other  perfectly.  At  times  Wontus  was  almost 
sorry  that  he  had  met  Blakely,  for  while  he  would  not  ac- 
knowledge, even  to  himself,  that  he  was  in  love  with  the  widow, 
yet  for  all  that  he  sometimes  caught  himself  wamdering  whether, 
now  that  her  husband  was  dead"  the  old  love  for  Blakely  woujd 
not  come  back  again,  and  the  two  hearts  join  as  one.  In  vain 
he  endeavored  to  chase  the  thought  away  ;  but  it  would  linger, 
and  like  a  phantom  present  itself  to  him  on  the  most  unex- 
pected occasions.  Once  he  thought  to  rid  himself  of  the  affair 
by  leaving  the  hospitable  quarters  of  the  colonel,.for  he  had 
often  heard  that  "  out  of  sight  was  out  of  mind/'  and  he  would 
rid  himself  of  his  thought's  concerning  the  colonel  by  taking 
his  departure. 

He  was  running  this  idea  through  his  head  one  afternoon 
as  he  sat  alone  in  the  shade  of  the  pine-trees,  when  the  object 
of  his  thoughts  came  upon  him  unnoticed,  and  asked  him,  in  a 
jovial  way,"  why  he   looked    so    sad.     At   most   other  times 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  319 

Wontus  would  have  avoided  the  question,  but  now,  without 
knowing  exactly  why,  he  made  a  plain,  unvarnished  statement 
of  his  condition,  and  added  that  while  he  knew  it  was  pi'obably 
foolish  and  uncalled  for,  yet  he  could  not  help  it,  and  now  that 
it  was  out  he  felt  better. 

A  smile  of  intelligence  spread  over  the  colonel's  countenance 
as  our  hero  commenced  to  speak,,  which  after  a  time  disap- 
peared and  gave  place  to  a  look  of  unfeigned  sadness. 

"  I  have  heard  her  speak  of  you,"  continued  Wontus,  "  in 
such  terms,  that  I  am  led  to  believe  that  under  the  })rescnt 
circumstances  a  reconciliation  might  easily  be  eftected,"  His 
manner  was  that  of  a  man  who  was  making  a  confession  which 
he  did  not  want  to  make  and  yet  found  it  impossible  to  hold 
back. 

"  ;My  friend,"  remarked  the  colonel,  sitting  down  and  taking 
Mr.  Wontus's  hand  in  his,  "  it  has  been  a  part  of  my  life  to 
avoid  seeing  this  lady,  or  hearing  anything  from  her ;  there 
has  been  too  much  grief,  too  much  bitterness,  attached  to  the 
recollection  of  her  to  induce  me  to  seek  to  hear  her  name  men- 
tioned. For  months  she  has  been  dead  to  me,  and  I  have 
striven  to  forget  her.  How  strange  is  life  !  The  capture  and 
death  of  Flick  ;  the  meeting  with  you  and  the  words  you  have 
been  able  to  communicate  to  me  concerning  those  who  have 
been  dead  to  me  so  long,  seem  like  the  visions  of  a  dream. 
And  that  I,  the  man  who  was  so  deeply,  cruelly,  wronged, 
should  be  the  means  of  sending  my  rival  to  his  grave  !  The 
thought  is  terrible,  yet  I  simply  did  my  duty.  No,  no,  my 
friend ;  I  have  nothing  to  say  for  or  against  the  woman  I  once 
so  fondly  loved.  I  have  struggled  to  tear  her  image  from  my 
heart ;  it  is  gone,  and  the  place  is  occupied  by  sadness ;  to  me 
she  is  a  neuter, — a  plant  that  has  been  moved  from  my  flivor- 
ite  spot,  never  to  be  replaced.  I  look  forward  to  the  time 
when  a  new  love  shall  come,  but  I  fear  it  is  far  distant ;  the 
plant  which  was  strong  in  the  sunlight  of  other  days  has  been 
smothered,  its  bright  colors  deaden<?d,  and  its  very  root  torn 
up,  and  burned  on  the  altar  of  sacrifices."  As  he  spoke,  his 
voice  grew  lower  and  sadder,  and  his  whole  form  seemed  to  be 
filled  with  a  grief  which  he  was  vainly  endeavoring  to  conceal. 
For  a  time  he  sat  in  silence,  his  fingers  nervously  clutchinp- 
the  hand  of  Mr.  Wontus,  and  liis  eyes  fixed  upon  the  ground, 
as  if  he  saw  among  the  mess  and  roots  at  his  feet  the  pictures 


320  WOXTUS,  OR 

of  the  past.  Mr.  '\\''ontus  silently  contemplated  his  friend,  his 
own  troubles  swallowed  in  the  sympatlu'  he  felt  for  the  man 
he  had  learned  to  love. 

"  My  friend,"  continued  the  colonel,  "  my  confidence  in 
woman  has  been  shaken.  I  have  ever  tried  to  be  an  honor- 
able man  myself,  and  have  looked  for  the  same  honor  in 
others.  An  impression  once  made  is  hard  to  eradicate.  I 
find  I  have  been  mistaken,  and  now  I  must  await  the  time 
when  nature  shall  restore  to  my  heart  those  purer  feelings, 
which  cruel  wrongs  have  driven  out." 

"  But  I  feel  that  a  reconciliation  could  be  easily  effected," 
remarked  Mr.  Wontus,  persuasively,  as  a  man  often  does 
when  he  feels  that  he  ought  to  say  something. 

"  Xever !"  cried  the  officer,  raising  his  head  and  sjieaking 
spiritedly  ;  and  then  quickly  relapsing  into  his  former  mood, 
he  continued :  "  Xo,  no ;  it  can  never  be.  She  knows  full 
well  the  cruel  pain  she  has  inflicted  upon  me ;  I  could  not 
drive  their  imprint  from  my  memory.  For  us  to  live  together, 
I  feel,  would  be  torture  which  could  only  end  in  death.  I 
shall  avoid  her  in  the  future  as  I  have  in  the  past.  She  shall 
have  my  best  wishes  for  her  prosperity,  but  no  act  of  mine 
can  ever  contribute  to  it.  This  may  be  wrong,  but  it  is  my 
nature;  I  cannot  help  it.  I  forgive  her  freely;  nothing 
more." 

He  ceased  speaking,  and  a  moment  after,  as  though  a  sud- 
den thought  had  occurred  to  him,  he  turned  to  his  listener, 
and  said : 

"  You  will  see  her — perhaps  you  will  see  her  again.  If 
you  do,  do  not  mention  my  name  to  her  in  any  connection 
whatever.  Let  it  be  as  though  you  and  I  had  never  met. 
This  I  ask  as  a  favor  ;  you  will  grant  it  ?  I  know  you  will." 

He  was  now  looking  into  Woutus's  face  with  anxiety  pic- 
tured on  his  countenance,  and  as  our  hero's  glance  met  his, 
Wontus  promised  that  his  request  should  be  respected.  But 
he  never,  no  never,  expected  to  see  her  again.  That  our  hero 
believed  what  he  said,  and  intended  to  carry  it  out  to  the  letter, 
there  can  be  no  doubt.  His  sympathy  had  carried  him  far 
beyond  a  clear  understanding  of  his  own  feelings,  and  if  the 
incidents  in  the  pages  which  follow  prove  him  to  have  been 
guilty  of  a  falsehood  on  this  particular  occasion,  it  must  be  set 
down  as  an  unintentional  error,  for  which  he  is  already  par- 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSEBVATIOX.  321 

doned.     But  wc  shall  see  more  of  him  and  liis  friends  ere  we 
part  from  them  forever,  and  this  bids  us  hasten. 

On  the  25th  of  June  Johnson  resolved  that  an  effort  should 
be  made  to  drive  the  invading  army  from  before  llichmond, 
and  on  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day  the  attack  commenced. 
That  night  the  enemy  rested  at  jMechanicsville,  on  the  ground 
occupied  by  the  "  boys  in  blue"  but  a  few  hours  before.  Mr. 
Nidd's  journal  has  so  faithfully  and  briefly  reported  the  events 
which  followed,  that  I  venture  to  reproduce  a  few  leaves  from 
his  book : 

[extract.] 

Frida?/,  Jane  27. — Things  appear  to  be  going  wrong. 
Much  firing  on  the  right ;  Wontus  swears  we  are  to  enter 
Richmond  immediately.  Have  made  inquiries  in  every  direc- 
tion ;  nobody  knows  more  than  I  do.  Much  mystery.  Feel 
sure  that  something  is  going  wrong.  Note. — "  Never  buy 
tripe  on  a  Friday." 

Saturday^  June  28. — No  sleep  all  night.  Heavy  firing 
continues,  and  draws  nearer.  Wagons  and  heavy  guns  pass- 
ing through  our  camp  all  night.  Going  the  wrong  direction — • 
away  from  the  fighting.  More  mystery ;  not  much  of  anything 
else. 

Afternoon. — The  news  is  out.  We  ai"e  going  to  attack  the 
enemy  in  another  direction.  Don't  believe  it.  Hear  that 
there  has  been  hard  fighting  at  Ellison's  Mill,  near  Mechan- 
icsville.  Jackson  is  there.  (Very  strange.)  The  two  Hills 
are  there ;  Magruder  is  there  ;  Huger  is  there.  If  this  be 
true,  my  judgment  is  that  about  all  the  rebel  army  is  there, 
and  we  should  now  walk  into  Richmond..    Rain. 

JSunday,  June  29. — Excitement  among  troops ;  running 
and  rushing  about  all  night.  Blakely  tells  us  to  be  ready  to 
move.  Ready !  General  McClellan  at  Savage  Station  this 
morning  wants  more  reinforcements.  Orders  for  White  House 
to  be  evacuated,  and  goods  carried  off  or  destroyed.  Every- 
thing excited.  Wontus  guesses  he  will  not  go  into  Richmond 
for  a  few  days.  /  guess  we  are  in  full  retreat,  but  I  can't 
guess  when  it  will  end.     Destruction  of  property  terrible. 

Afternoon. — On  the  march ;  men,  wagons,  horses,  and  ar- 
tillery line  the  road.     Everybody  understands  what  is  going 
on  now,  and  things  look  better  since  people  understand  wha* 
they  have  to  do.     Terrible  fighting  all  around  us.     The  men 
o* 


322  way  TVS,  on 

stand  up  gallant!}^ ;  they  are  modern  Trojans.  I  ask  myself, 
"  Will  they  ever  be  forp:otten  for  the  sacrifices  they  are  mak- 
ing ?"     Certainly !     Curious  world. 

Monday,  June  30. — No  eat,  no  drink,  no  sleep, — nothing 
but  fight,  fight,  fight.     Wontus  disgusted. 

Afternoon. — James  River.  We  can  go  no  fjsrther.  Have 
lost  men,  horses,  guns,  stores,  and  about  everything  else  but 
courage.  Vessels  here  loaded  with  supplies.  Our  friends 
the  gunboats  with  us  once  more.  Sounds  of  fighting  in  every 
direction.     Terrible. 

Tucsdai/.  July  1. — I  have  no  heart  to  write.  Wontus  and 
the  rest  wander  about  like  spooks.  Fight,  fight,  fight :  all 
the  time,  everywhere.  Will  there  never  be  any  rest  for  the 
poor  soldiers  ?  The  most  terrible  fighting  this  afternoon  and 
evening.  We  have  mowed  the  enemy  down  with  our  cannon 
by  thousands.  They  are  shattered,  broken,  almost  disorgan- 
ized. I  know  it.  I  can  tell  by  the  talk  of  the  prisoners. 
Xow  we  can  go  into  Richmond.     Will  we  ? 

The  day  is  ours.  ]Malvern  Hill  is  ours.  The  rebel  army 
of  Virginia  is  ours.  Will  we  take  it  ?  Wontus  says,  "  Now 
we  icill  go  into  Richmond,"  and  has  gone  to  see  the  com- 
manding general. 

Wechiesdai/,  July  2. — Very  little  fighting  this  morning. 
Enemy  retreating,  and  so  are  we.  It  makes  space  between 
us  much  faster  if  both  retreat  at  the  Siime  time  than  if  only 
one  does. 

When  Mr.  Wontus  called  on  the  commanding  general  at 
Harrison's  Landing,  it  was  with  the  firm  belief  that  he  could 
and  would  prove  of  some  benefit.  He  did  not  consider  him- 
self competent  to  give  his  services  in  the  shape  of  advice,  as 
was  customary,  but  he  had  made  up  his  mind  to  return  North 
without  delay,  and  desired  to  offer  himself  as  a  bearer  of  dis- 
patches to  the  President. 

It  is  a  very  hard  thing  for  a  modest,  unassuming  man  to 
have  access  to  a  general  in  an  army  of  active  operations,  and 
so  Mr.  Wontus  found  it.  Accident,  however,  favored  him 
with  an  interview  with  Colonel  Blakely.  whom  he  had  not 
seen  for  a  week,  and  that  officer  escorted  him  through  the 
cordon  of  guards,  and  he  reached  the  office  of  the  chief  of 
staff.  Here  it  was  his  duty  to  unburden  his  mind,  and 
transact  whatever  other  business  he  might  have ;  but  disap- 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  323 

pointmcnt  and  want  of  faith  had  made  him  stubborn,  and  he 
affirmed  his  intention  to  remain  until  such  time  as  tlic  com- 
manding; general  would  see  him. 

It  was  while  he  was  waiting  that  he  noticed  a  gentlem  \n 
in  whose  fice  there  was  something  which  carried  his  mind 
back  to  Philadelphia.  The  man  wore  a  military  cap  ami 
blouse,  but  otherwise  looked  like  a  citizen.  His  moustache 
was  nicely  curled, .and  his  face  wore  an  air  of  importance.  It 
was  Edward  Pason  iMontcalm  Iligginson. 

As  much  to  kill  the  time  as  through  curiosity,  Mr.  Wontus 
made  sundry  inquiries  concerning  the  gentleman,  who  ap- 
peared to  have  the  faculty  of  figuring  so  extensively  in  IMr. 
Nidd's  mind,  and  learned  that  he  was  the  guest  of  nobody  in 
particular  and  everybody  in  general. 

"  For  myself,"  remarked  Colonel  Blakely,  "  T  know  very 
little  about  him.  He's  a  sort  of  an  enigma.  We  all  know 
him,  and  yet  do  not  know  him.  I  presume  he  is  a  man  of 
considerable  wealth  and  standing.  He  talks  of  the  gi-eat  men 
of  the  nation  as  though  he  knew  them  all  intimately,  and  his 
manner  and  style  is  that  of  a  thorough  gentleman,  although 
I  must  confess  that  I  have  occasionally  seen  a  vein  of  assur- 
ance about  him  which  I  do  not  admire." 

Mr.  Wontus  now  proceeded  to  relate  his  first  meeting  with 
the  gentleman  and  Nidd's  antipathy  for  him.  He  did  not 
mention  any  of  the  particulars  of  the  acquaintanceship,  or  the 
little  incident  between  the  gentleman  and  Nidd  at  the  White 
House ;  in  fact,  he  did  not  have  the  opportunity,  for  while 
he  was  speaking  the  subject  of  the  conversation  entered  the 
tent,  leaning  on  the  arm  and  glibly  talking  with  an  officer. 

Wontus  was  sitting  on  a  camp-stool,  near  the  centre  of  the 
tent,  and  his  friend,  Colonel  Blakely,  was  standing  by  his 
side.  At  first  Mr.  Higginson  did  not  appear  to  notice  cither 
the  colonel  or  Wontus,  although  he  had  twice  nearly  touched 
them  as  he  passed.  He  was  engaged  in  relating  a  humorous 
story,  and  his  laughter  grated  on  our  hero's  ears  with  dis- 
cordant sharpness. 

''  Ah,  colonel,"  cried  the  gentleman,  for  the  first  time 
recognizing  Blakely,  "  glad  to  see  you ;  haven't  seen  you  for 
an  age.  Terrible  fighting  since  we  last  met.  Safe  and  sound, 
eh  ?"  As  he  spoke  he  grasped  Blakely's  hand  and  shook  it 
warmly.     "  I've  just  been  relating  to  the  gencral^how  glo- 


324  WOXTUS,  OR 

riouslj  my  friends  Porter,  Keys,  Sykes,  Meade,  ^IcCall,  But- 
terfield,  and  tlie  host  of  other  good  fellows,  have  acquitted 
themselves.     Splendid  movement,  splendidly  executed  !" 

"  Mr,  Wontus,"  said  Blakely,  stepping-  aside  and  introduc- 
ing our  hero  ;  "  an  old  acquaintance,  I  think." 

Wontus  rose  to  his  feet,  and  as  he  did  so  the  bright  look 
faded  from  Mr.  Higginsou's  face.  In  a  moment  he  recovered 
himself,  and  bowing  ceremoniously,  asked  the  colonel  to  repeat 
the  name ;  and  then  remarked  that  the  gentleman  certainly 
had  the  advantage  of  him. 

Mr.  Wontus  was  certain  that  Higginson  recognized  him, 
but  his  manner  and  overpowering  impudence  completely  dum- 
founded  him,  and  he  stammered  something  he  scarcely  knew 
what,  and  felt  like  a  culprit  who  has  been  caught  in  the  act 
of  committing  a  theft. 

''Come,  colonel,"  cried  the  gentleman,  in  the  midst  of 
Wontus's  confusion,  "  come,  take  a  turn  about  the  camp,  old 
fellow,  it  will  do  you  good."  As  he  spoke  his  lip  curled  and 
he  cast  a  glance  at  our  hero  which  seemed  to  say,  '•  You  are 
of  very  little  importance,  sir,  very  little."  Wontus  felt  that 
he  must  certainly  do  something,  and  that  immediately.  As 
it  was,  Colonel  Blakely  must  consider  him  wanting  in  truth. 
With  this  idea  uppermost,  he  managed  to  grasp  his  friend's 
hand,  and  articulate  a  few  words  which,  when  put  together, 
signified  that  there  was  a  mistake. 

'•  Oh,  I  moi/  have  met  you.  sir,"  continued  Higginson,  with 
a  sang-froid  that  made  Mr.  Wontus  tremble, — ^'  I  may  have 
met  you,  sir ;  I  meet  thousands  of  people,  yes,  thousands, 
whose  mimes  acd  faces  I  do  not  recollect ;  I  cannot  recall 
them  ;  the  thing  is  impossible ;  I  might  as  well  tiy  to  remem- 
ber the  stars  which  throw  their  radiant  glances  at  me  from 
the  blue  sky  above  us.  or  the  dew-drops  which  sparkle  in  the 
blades  of  grass  in  the  morning  sun.    Impossible  ;  eh,  colonel?" 

'"  You  met  me."  cried  Wontus,  finding  his  tongue,  and  mad- 
dened by  the  nonchalant  manners  of  the  speaker, — '•  you  met 
me  in  Philadelphia  ;  at  the  hotel.  You  came,  sir.  believing 
me  and  my  friends  to  be  distinguished  characters.  When  Mr. 
Nidd,  a  gentleman  whom  I  think  you  do  remember,  informed 
you  of  our  real  characters,  you  left.  We  saw  you  again  at 
our  lodgings,  and  I  happen  to  know  you  were  impressed  with 
the  preseace  of  one  of  our  party.     You  were  seen  again  at 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  325 

the  White  House,  where  Mr.  Nidd  dragged  you  out  of  your 
hiding-place,  at  the  time  of  the  raid.  I  have  always  thought 
my  friend  was  prejudiced  against  you ;  I  now  believe  all  he 
says  of  you,  and  what  he  says  is  not  complimentar}'',  by  any 
means.  You  do  know  me,  and  I  know  you,  but  in  the  future 
I  shall  not  know  you.     There,  sir  !" 

Mr.  Wontus  could  go  no  further,  and  he  sat  down  and 
rested  his  chin  on  his  hand,  looking  terribly  angry. 

During  the  delivery  of  the  remarks  of  Mr.  Wontus,  Hig- 
ginson,  otherwise  "  Scribendi,"  looked  with  mingled  rage  and 
mortification  at  the  speaker.  At  the  conclusion  he  was  about 
to  speak,  but  he  was  interrupted  by  the  entrance  of  the  gen- 
eral, and  turning  upon  his  heel  he  tapped  his  forehead  with 
his  finger,  and  glancing  at  Wontus,  as  though  he  would  indi- 
cate that  our  hero  was  insane,  walked  out  of  the  tent,  smiling. 

At  length  the  general  would  see  Mr.  Wontus,  and,  fore- 
warned to  be  brief,  our  hero  proceeded  to  inform  the  general 
that  he  was  on  very  intimate  terms  with  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  as 
he  intended  proceeding  North  without  delay,  he  would  be  de- 
lighted to  be  the  bearer  of  any  message  the  former  might 
desire  to  send  to  the  latter. 

"Sir,"  said  the  general,  mildly,  "I  have  no  message  to 
send ;  but  if  you  have  influence  enough  to  have  some  rein- 
forcements sent  to  me  I  hope  you  will  do  so.  With  reinforce- 
ments this  change  of  base  would  have  been  unnecessary ;  we 
should  have  been  in  Richmond  to-day." 

The  general  turned  to  his  chief-of-staff',  and  Mr.  Wontus 
left  for  his  own  quarters,  deeply  impressed  with  the  inter- 
view. The  affair  with  Mr.  Higginson  had  faded  from  his 
mind. 

"  I  have  given  up  the  idea  of  going  into  Eichmond,"  said 
he  to  Mr.  Nidd,  philosophically,  "  and  we  will  return  home  as 
soon  as  transportation  can  be  secured."' 

It  will  be  remembered,  by  those  who  have  followed  the 
steps  of  Wontus  and  his  party  from  the  commencement,  that 
it  was  understood,  in  the  agreement  miade  with  Mr.  Wilkins, 
that  that  gentleman  should  enter  the  army  whenever  Mr. 
Wontus  considered  it  necessary,  and  was  to  receive  a  certain 
stipulated  sum  for  so  doing.  The  particulars  of  this  agree- 
ment had  popped  into  Wontus's  head  the  moment  the  general 
had  mentioned  his   desire  for  reinforcements,  and  without 

28 


326  VfOXTUS,  OR 

mentioning  his  plan  to  anybody  our  hero  quietly  determined 
that  the  general  should  have  reinforcements,  and  the  tirst  in- 
stalment should  be  Benjamin  Wilkins. 

The  next  morning  Mr.  Wilkins  was  summoned,  and  with 
$500  in  his  pocket,  Wontus,  accompanied  by  Wilkins,  set  out 
for  the  headquarters  of  the  army.  I  am  inclined  to  believe 
that  31r.  Wilkins  was  entirely  ignorant  of  the  part  he  was 
to  play  in  the  forthcoming  interview.  He  knew  that  he  was 
going  to  see  the  commander  of  the  army,  and  that  was  all. 
"  You  must  be  very  careful,"  remarked  Wontus,  as  they 
passed  along  ;  "  the  discipline  and  etiquette  of  headquarters 
is  very  severe." 

It  is  probable  that  Mr.  Wontus  would  have  proceeded  to 
give  Wilkins  some  advice  concerning  the  line  of  conduct 
which  he  would  expect  from  him,  but  his  remarks  were  cut 
short  by  Wilkins  proceeding  to  relate  in  his  own  peculiar 
fashion  how  he  had  lived  and  dined  with  the  first  generals 
and  admirals  of  the  world,  not  to  mention  the  crowned  heads 
and  other  notable  people.  In  brief,  ere  he  concluded,  Mr. 
Wontus  was  inclined  to  believe  that  in  simple  justice  he 
ought  to  change  places  with  his  man. 

Fortune  favored  our  friends,  and  they  met  the  general  and 
some  other  officers  just  outside  of  his  tent.  Wontus  was  full 
of  delight,  for  now  he  felt  that  besides  doing  something  for 
his  country,  by  enlisting  a  man  in  her  service,  he  was  also 
about  to  give  to  the  general  that  which  he  had  been  asking 
for  so  long — reinforcements.  Nudging  Wilkins  to  follow 
him,  he  immediately  sought  the  side  of  the  officer,  and  after 
passing  the  compliments  of  the  day,  said : 

"  General,  this  is  Benjamin  Wilkins,  an  old  soldier,  and  a 
man  who  has  seen  service  all  over  the  World."  Turning  to 
Wilkins  he  asked  him  if  what  he  said  was  not  true,  and  Wil- 
kins said  it  was. 

The  general,  with  dignity  in  his  manner,  looked  at  Wilkins 
and  then  at  Wontus,  but  made  no  reply.  To  some  men  this 
would  have  been  a  hint  that  their  company  was  not  agree- 
able, but  Wontus  was  too  full  of  his  subject  to  notice  any- 
thing except  the  business  he  was  on,  and  he  continued : 

'*  You've  asked  for  reinforcements.  I  remarked  to  myself 
yesterday  you  should  have  them,  and  here  they  are."  The 
siirht  was  a  curious  one.     Wontus  had  turned  to  Wilkins  as 


THE   CORPS   OF   OTiSERVATIOK.  327 

he  spoke,  and  was  now  standing  with  his  hands  extended,  the 
pahus  turned  upward,  as  though  to  signify  that  he  made  the 
offering  freely,  and  was  now  done.  The  different  officers  of 
tlie  group  looked  quizzically  at  each  other,  and  Wilkins,  who 
had  only  now  guessed  the  object  of  the  visit,  was,  for  the  first 
time  since  we  have  known  him,  in  blank  despair.  The  bargain 
which  he  had  made  at  the  outset,  and  which  he  never  ex- 
pected to  completely  fill,  flashed  in  his  mind,  and  he  could 
see  no  avenue  of  escape.  There  was  only  one  course  left,  and 
that  was  to  meet  the  matter  fully  in  the  face,  and  trust  to 
fortune  what  should  follow ;  but  not  a  word  escaped  his  lips. 

The  smile  which  had  lit  up  the  general's  face  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  interview  now  broke  into  a  broad  laugh, 
and  thanking  Mr.  Wontus  for  his  kindness,  he  turned  to  one 
of  his  staff,  and  said : 

"  Captain,  see  that  these  reinforcements  are  properly  mus- 
tered in."  The  officer  addressed  directed  Wontus  and  Wil- 
kins to  follow  him,  and  after  the  preliminaries  had  been 
settled,  and  the  promised  money  acknowledged,  Wilkins  was 
duly  "  cussed,"  and  found  himself  a  private  in  the  — th  Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  duly  welcomed  by  Birkill, 
Magdus,  and  the  other  gentlemen  with  whom  Thomas  Thomson 
had  had  such  an  intimate  acquaintance  a  few  months  before. 

Wilkins' s  shortcomings  had  been  numerous,  and  as  vexa- 
tious as  they  were  numerous,  but  for  all  that  Mr.  Wontus 
could  not  resist  a  few  tears  of  genuine  sorrow  when  the  for- 
mer grasped  his  hand,  and  in  a  melodramatic  way  mentioned 
the  life  that  was  before  him,  the  deeds  of  bravery  he  should 
perform,  and  the  glory  which  awaited  him  should  he  be  for- 
tunate enough  to  return. 

"  And  I  hope  you  may  return,"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  dashing 
the  tear  from  his  eye.  "  I  shall  never  forgive  myself  if  you 
do  not  return  !"   He  could  say  no  more,  and  took  his  departure. 

"I  have  done  a  patriotic  service,"  said  Wontus  to  Mr. 
Nidd,  in  finishing  up  his  account  of  the  affair. 

"  You've  done  more,"  cried  Nidd.  "  You've  rid  the  coun- 
try, for  a  while  at  least,  of  one  of  the  greatest  liars  that  ever 
breathed.  He's  in  the  right  place  now,  and  my  only  fear  is 
that  he'll  not  stay." 

Wontus  begged  his  fi-iend  to  desist,  and  for  the  balance  of  the 
day  was  gloomy  and  sad.     He  was  busy  with  his  thoughts. 


328  WONTU^,  OR 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

THIS  CHAPTER  IS  PRINCIPALLY  DEVOTED  TO  MR.  WIL- 
KIXS,  WHO  AS  A  SOLDIER  DOES  SOME  VERY  MARVELOUS 
THINGS — HOMEWARD    BOUND. 

The  transport  wliich  was  to  carry  Mr.  Wontiis  and  his 
friends  to  Washington  lay  anchored  in  the  stream,  and  the 
hour  had  come  for  their  departure.  Nidd  was  impatient  to 
be  off,  but  Mr.  Wontus  held  him  back,  and  together  they 
proceeded  to  bid  a  last  good-bye  to  the  many  kind  friends  and 
companions  they  had  found  in  the  army.  It  was  pleasing  to 
have  the  prospect  of  early  intercoui-se  with  civilization  (war 
has  very  little  of  civilization  about  it)  and  the  comforts  of 
home ;  but  withal  Mr.  Wontus  was  sad.  Now  that  he  really 
was  going  away  from  the  araiy,  he  was  sad ;  yet  he  smiled 
and  endeavored  to  be  cheerful. 

''  I  hate  to  leave  them,"  said  he,  turning  to  Xidd,  as  they 
walked.  "  Yes,  I  hate  to  leave  them.  I've  met  some  noble 
men,  and  I  love  them  ;  but  I  am  disheartened  and  weary. 
There's  Blakely,  poor  fellow  !  I  wish  we  could  induce  him  to 
accompany  us ;  but  he  will  not,  his  soul  is  in  the  war.  (A 
pause.)  Poor  Wilkins  !  Xidd.  do  you  think  he'll  be  killed?" 
He  spoke  as  if  he  expected  an  immediate  answer.     He  got  it. 

"  Not  he  !"  cried  Xidd,  '•  don't  worry  yourself  about  that. 

That  interesting  and  devoutly-to-be-wished   event  will  never 

occur.     A  man  who  is  born  to  be  hanged  can  never  be  killed 

in  war,  drowned  at  sea,  or  accidentally  killed   in   any  way. 

Such  a  man  is  Benjamin  Wilkins.*' 

"  You  are  severe,"  remarked  Mr.  Wontus,  contemplative! v. 
ui " 

"  Here  he  comes  now,"  interrupted  Xidd. 

"  Good  mornin',  gents,"  exclaimed  a  man  dressed  in  full 
uniform,  which  Wontus,  after  a  moment's  inspection,  discov- 
ered to  be  Wilkins.  ''  Purty  heavy  weather  we  bovs  have, 
hey?" 

Both  Xidd  and  Wontus  greeted  the  new  comer  pleasantly — 
the  latter  almost  enthusiastically. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  329 

"  ITow's  Tom  ?"  asked  the  soldier ;  and  tlicn  followed  such 
a  iiniltitude  of  inquiries  concerning  the  health  and  prospects 
of  the  party  as  would  induce  the  casual  listener  to  imagine 
that  the  questioner  had  not  seen  his  friends  for  a  long,  very 
long  time. 

Mr.  Wontus  proceeded  to  answer  the  questions  fully,  but 
ere  he  had  fairly  commenced  Wilkins  interrupted  by  stating 
that  he  had  been  on  picket  the  night  before,  and  performed 
some  most  daring  service,  which,  if  the  gentlemen  desired,  he 
would  relate.  Nidd  swore  roundly  that  there  was  no  time  to 
spare,  but  Wontus  was  interested,  and  insisted  on  hearing  the 
story. 

"  It  won't  take  a  minute,"  said  Wilkins,  by  way  of  assuag- 
ing Mr.  Nidd,  and  then  he  commenced. 

"It  ain't  customary,"  said  he,  "for  new  men — new  re- 
cruits, I  mean — to  go  on  picket  the  first  night  they  git  into 
camp,  but  I  jis  tole  the  cap'n  that  I'd  been  there  a  many  a 
time  before,  and  wouldn't  mind  takin'  a  turn  now,  jist  to  git 
my  hand  in.  '  All  right,  my  cove,'  says  he,  and,  jist  afore 
dark,  I  fell  in  and  marched  out  with  the  rest  of  the  fellers. 
You  know  where  Gragese's  farm  is,  out  here  about  four  mile, 
don't  you?" 

Mr.  Wontus  said  he  did  not,  and  Nidd  presumed  that  there 
wasn't  any  such  place  in  the  United  States. 

"  Well,"  continued  Wilkins,  without  noticing  the  remark, 
"  that  air  farm  was  the  outpost, — the  most  outest  and  most 
dangerous  post  of  'em  all ;  and  when  the  sergeant  asked  who'd 
go  out  there,  I  tole  him  that  I  would,  and  smackin'  me  on 
the  shoulder,  he  says,  says  he,  '  You' — meanin'  me — '  you  are 
jist  the  feller  I  wanted;'  and  givin'  me  instructions  to  keep  a 
sharp  lookout, — the  regular  thing,  you  know, — and  so  forth, 
he  left  me.  Shiver  my  timbers !  it  was  a  wild  and  lonely 
place,  sure  enough.  There  wasn't  a  house,  except  the  one  I 
was  at,  nor  nothin'  else  livin'  anywhere  in  sight  or  hearin'. 
Jist  in  front  there  was  a  woods  so  thunderin'  thick  you 
couldn't  see  daylight  through  it  if  it  was  daylight.  On  the 
right  was  a  thicket  of  briars,  and  on  the  left  was  a  wheat 
field,  with  the  wheat  all  a  standin'." 

"  Cut  it  short !"  interrupted  Nidd,  wdth  a  frown. 

"  Well,"  continued  Wilkins,  nodding  his  head,  as  though 
he    intended   heeding   the   command,  "you  just  bet  it  was 


330  WOXTUS,  OR 

lonely ;  and  as  I  stood  there,  a  lookin'  at  the  stars,  whicli  was 
a  twinklin'  and  winkin'  over  me,  says  I,  '  Ben,'  says  I,  'you'd 
better  keep  your  weather  eye  open,' — ^}'ou  see  I  hadn't  forgot 
my  sea  lingo, — '  for  this  here's  a  dangerous  place,  or  they'd 
never  put  you  here.'  " 

Wontus  suid  "  Certainly,"  and  the  speaker  continued: 

"  Sharp  watchin'  and  the  balmy  breezes  of  the  most  beauti- 
fulest  night  kind  of  got  the  best  of  me  nigh  unto  about  mid- 
night,— I  guess  it  was  about  midnight. — and  I  was  gettin' 
sleepy.  I  k  no  wed  what  the  orders  was,  but  we  used  to  often 
play  off  a  little  when  I  was  in  the  Crimea,  you  know ;  so  says 
I,  '  I  guess  there  won't  be  nobody  about  this  here  place  any 
more  to-night,'  and  I  commenced  a-lookin'  for  a  place  to  lay 
myself  down.     I  thought  I'd  take  a  little  snooze,  you  know." 

Wontus  nodded  his  head,  and  bent  forward  with  ea^er 
attention. 

"  Well,  jist  as  I  was  a-goin'  to  curl  myself  up  on  some  fodder 
in  the  yard,  somethiu'  seemed  to  tell  me  that  I  ought  to  take 
a  look  around  first.  Well,  there  wasn't  anything  in  the  woods 
as  I  could  see  or  hear,  nor  in  the  briar  thicket  neither,  and 
as  they  was  the  two  most  likely  places  for  to  look  for  an 
enemy,  I  felt  easy,  and  was  just  a-goin'  to  spread  myself, 
when  I  looked  over  the  wheat-field,  and  saw  somethin'.  It 
wasn't  a  movin'  nor  nothin',  but  I  remarked  to  myself,  '  Ben,' 
says  I, '  that  air  wheat-field  was  as  smooth  as  the  Croton  ba.-in 
when  you  come  here,  and  now  what  in  the  thunder  is  them 
air  stumps  a-doin'  there  ?'  I  couldn't  see  how  they  got  there, 
you  know.' 

Again  Mr.  Wontus  signified  that  he  understood,  by  nodding 
his  head. 

"  I  looked  at  the  stumps — I  guess  there  was  a  half-a-dozen 
of  'em — for  a  while,  and  then  says  I,  to  myself,  '  Them's  too 
big  for  stumps.  What  in  the  thunder  can  they  be?'  Well, 
the  more  I  looked  the  more  I  wasn't  satisfied,  and  then  it  come 
to  me  of  a  suddint  that  it  was  my  duty  to  find  out,  so  I  com- 
menced a  skirmishin'  in  a  small  way  to  dewelcp  'em.  I  rather 
felt  a  little  shaky  at  first,  but  then,  says  I,  'This  is  your  duty  ;' 
and  I  made  up  my  mind  to  do  it.  From  me  to  the  wheat-field 
must  have  been  about  as  far  as  from  th:it  air  tree  to  us  (he 
]>ointed  out  a  tree  which  stood  off  some  sixty  paces  distant  from 
where   he  was   standing),  and   the    objecks  was   a   standiu' 


THE  CORPS  OF  observation:  331 

amonp:  the  ■v^'lleat,  jist  a  little  insulc  the  fence.  Well,  the  first 
thing  I  did  was  to  take  oft"  my  cartridge-box  and  fill  my  I'Ocket^ 
with"  cartridges, — I  wanted  to  be  free  and  easy,  you  see, — and 
then  I  took  my  gun,  and,  keepin'  in  the  shade  of  the  trees, 
sneaked  into  the  woods  and  made  for  the  field.  It  was  so 
infernal  dark  I  had  to  feel  my  way  by  keepin'  the  pints  of  the 
compass  in  my  head,  and  then  feelin'  which  w^as  the  rough 
side  of  the  bark  of  the  trees." 

At  this  juncture  the  narrator  entered  into  a  lengthy  descrip- 
tion of  how  he  made  his  way  through  the  woods  without  making 
any  noise,  and  from  that  branched  oft"  on  to  the  dangers  which 
constantly  surround  an  outpost  in  an  enemy's  country.  Won- 
tus,  who  was  already  much  interested  in  the  story,  listened  to 
this  part  of  it  for  a  long  while  in  silence  ;  but  Wilkins  disiilayed 
no  signs  of  returning  to  the  interesting  part  of  his  narrative. 
He  h'ad  evidently  forgotten  what  he  had  commenced  to  talk 
about. 

"  You  got  through  the  woods,  did  you  ?''  asked  Wontus, 
impatiently,  by  way  of  calling  Wilkins's  attention  to  what  he 
appeared  to  have  forgotten. 

"  Oh,  yes,"  exclaimed  the  reinforcement,  as  if  it  had  just 
occurred  to  him  that  the  most  important  part  of  the  story  was 
to  come,  "I  'most  forgot.  Well,  as  I  was  sayin',  I  sneaked 
through  the  wx'ods,  and  wdien  I  got  to  the  fence  I  riz  up,  and 
by  gracious  !  what  do  you  think  I  seen  ?" 

"  What  ?"  exclaimed  Wontus,  as  though  it  was  expected  that 
he  should  say  something. 

"  Why,  sir,  what  I  had  took  for  stumps  was  nothin'  more'n 
six  fellers  on  horseback  !  There  they  was  a-standin' jist  like 
stone,  and  I  might  have  thought  they  w^as  stone  if  it  hadn't 
been  that  I  could  hear  'em  wdiisperin'  about  how  sharp  their 
knives  was  and  how  straight  they  could  shoot  with  their  p'istols." 
"  The  mere  recital  of  it  makes  me  shiver,"  said  Wontus, 
shuddering;  "  but  what  did  you  do  ?  Six  men,  well  mounted 
and  armed,  were  too  much  for  you,  eh  ?" 

"  Thinks  I  to  myself,"'  continued  Wilkins,  in  his  oft'-hand, 
matter-of-fact  way,  without  noticing  Mr.  Wontus's  remark, 
"  what's  to  be  done  now  ?  and  I  stood  my  gun  up  against  the 
fence  and  took  a  good  long  think.  You  see,  I  didn't  want  to 
call  up  the  support,  and  yet  I  wanted  them  fellers  to  kiu)W 
that  there  was  one  man  in  this  here  big  army  of  ours  what  had 


332  wax  TVS,  or 

an  eye  on  'em,  if  there  wasn't  any  more.  I  was  a-thinkin'  this 
thing  over,  when  all  at  once  an  idea  popped  into  me  head — I 
had  a  plan.  The  niuht  wasn't  very  light,  you  know,  and  thinks 
I  to  myself,  thinks  I,  I'll  jist  crawl  up  to  you  gentlemen  in  the 
wheat  and  ram  my  bayonet  through  you,  one  at  a  time.  You 
see,  bayonets  don't  make  no  noise,  and  as  the  fellers  was  stand- 
in'  about  twenty  yards  apart.  I  concluded  I  could  do  the  job 
purty  easy.     It  was  a  purty  heavy  undertakin',  wasn't  it?" 

Wontus  thought  it  was,  ver}'. 

"  Most  men,  I  think,"  continued  the  speaker,  '•  would  a' 
turned  back,  but  Id  seen  too  much  in  India  and  other  places 
to  do  anything  of  that  kind,  and,  stoopin'  down,  I  crawled 
under  the  fence  and  pulled  myself  along  on  my  belly  until  I 
got  right  under  the  first  fellers  horse.  I  was  jist  a  goin'  to 
give  'em  what  the  Irish  call  a  prog,  svhen  the  feller,  says  he  to 
the  feller  next  to  him,  '  reckon  it's  about  time,  ain"t  it  ?' 

"  '  Don't  know,'  says  the  other  feller. 

" '  Who's  at  this  here  post?'  says  the  first  feller. 

"  '  Don't  know  exactly,  but  think  it's  that  feller  Wilkins.'  " 

Wontus  uttered  an  exclamation  of  surprise,  and  AVilkins 
continued : 

"  Yes.  and  I  was  surprised,  too,  when  I  heard  my  name 
mentioned  by  such  as  them,  and  I  commenced  to  think  maybe 
I  was  agoin'  to  hurt  some  of  my  friends.  I  was  jist  a  thiukiu' 
this  when  I  heard  the  other  feller  say,  says  he : 

"  '  What  kind  of  a  feller  is  he  ?' — meaniu'  me. 

"  '  Not  much,'  says  he  ;  '  I'm  a  thiukiu'  he"d  run  if  you  fired 
a  pop-gun  at  him.' 

"  That  was  enough  ;  it  had  raised  my  dander.  I  didn't  wait 
to  hear  no  more.  That  air  last  remark  settled  his  hash,  and 
jam  !  went  my  bayonet  through  his  heart,  and  he  tumbled  off 
his  horse  dead — stone  dead." 

'•Terrible!"  groaned  Mr.  Wontus,  wiping  the  perspiration 
from  his  face,  while  Nidd,  after  casting  a  rather  severe  stare  at 
Wilkins,  walked  away  whistling. 

'•  The  other  feller  kept  up  a  talkin'  for  awhile,  but  seein"  the 
dead  feller's  horse  turn  around  and  commence  eatin'  the  wheat, 
I  guess  he  thought  that  the  feller  was  tired  of  talkin'.  and  he 
soon  quit  too.  And  jist  so  I  went  up  to  each  individual  of 
'em,  until  I  came  to  the  sixth, — the  last  man.  Now  says  I  to 
myselfj  says  I,  Ben,  things  is  gettin'  more  even :  man  to  man ; 


a  i 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATWy.  333 

SO  jist  suppose  you  make  j'ourself  known,  an]  kill  tliis  feller 
in  a  gentleman-like  and  soldiery  manner.  I  tliuught  the  idea 
was  a  good  one,  and  acted  on  it. 

"  '  Pleasant  evenin',  sir,'  says  I,  standiu'  up  right  alongside 
of  the  feller's  horse.  I  couldn't  see  his  fiicc,  but,  by  gravy  !  I 
knowed  somethin'  was  up,  for  it  seemed  to  me  that  lie  'most 
bounced  out  of  his  saddle. 

'"  Who  are  you,  sir?'  says  he,  a  recoverin'  himself,  and 
speakin'  as  if  he  wasn't  skeered. 

"  '  Ben  Wilkins,  of  the  great  Yankee  army,  sir,'  says  I. 

"  Well,  sir,"  continued  the  "  reinforcement,"  after  a  brief 
pause,  "  you  jist  ought  to  of  seen  it ;  it  was  a  picter  and  no 
mistake.  The  minute  I  mentioned  my  name,  the  feller  jist 
swagged  over  to  one  side,  and  I  commenced  to  think  he  was 
a-goin'  to  fall  oif  for  sure. 

Wilkins  ?'  says  he,  '  of  the  — th  Pcnnsylvany  ?' 
The  same,  sir,'  says  I,  as  polite  as  pie. 

"  There  wasn't  nothin'  said  for  some  time,  so  I  jist  kept  my 
gun  up  and  a  good  ready  on,  for  fear  of  an  accident,  you  know. 

"  '  Wilkins  ?'  says  he  again,  a  thiukin'  out  loud.  I  was  jist 
agoin'  for  to  say  somethin'  when  he  sung  out  with  a  yell,  '  A 
struggle  for  life  and  liberty  !'  and  made  a  slash  at  me  with  his 
sabre.  But  he  wasn't  quick  enough, — he  didn't  know  his  man, 
— and  in  about  a  twinklin'  he  was  spread  out  on  the  ground  as 
dead  as  a  herrin'.  Well,  of  course,  that  was  the  end  of  it,  and 
so  I  jist  gathered  the  horses  and  things  together  and  waited  for 
daylight  and  the  relief  to  come." 

"  Astonishing  !"  cried  Wontus,  giving  vent  to  the  excitement 
wrought  up  by  Wilkins's  narrative.  "  And  do  your  officers 
know  of  this?"  he  asked. 

"  Well,  no,"  remarked  Wilkins  complacently,  as  though  the 
affair  had  been  quite  a  usual  adventure.  "No,  they  don't 
know  it,  leastwise  as  fir  as  I  know.  When  the  sergeant  come 
up  to  relieve  me  this  mornin',  I  jist  turned  the  horses  and  the 
men's  'coutrements  over  to  him,  and  told  him  that  if  he'd  go 
over  in  the  wheat-field  he  might  find  the  men  what  they  used 
to  belong  to." 

"  '  Where  are  they?'  says  he,  purty  skeered. 

"  '  Gone  to  glory,'  says  I. 

"'Dead?'  says  he. 

Dead  as  smoked  herrin,'  says  I. 


(( 

(( i 


334  WOXTUS,  OR 

"  He  woulflii't  believe  me  till  ve  went  over  and  looked,  and 
there  they  was  a  layin'  jist  where  they  fell,  each  of  'em  with 
a  hole  right  up  under  his  ribs  and  through  his  gizzard.  I  told 
the  sergeant  how  I'd  come  to  do  it.  He  made  some  remarks 
about  the  thing  bein'  hard  to  beat;  and  says  he,  '  I'll  make  a 
report  of  the  affair  to  the  cap'n.'  '  Sergeant,'  says  I,  '  I  don't 
want  nothin'  of  the  kind  done ;'  and  then  we  fixed  it  up  how 
we'd  tell  that  I'd  found  the  horses  and  things  in  the  woo<ls, 
and  then  we  come  into  camp  ;  and  as  I  ain't  heard  nothin'  about 
it  since,  wh}-  I  guess  the  sergeant's  a  keepin'  his  word." 

"  Wilkins — Benjamin  AVilkius,"  cried  Wontus,  taking  his 
hand  in  both  of  his,  '■  you  have  perfomied  a  noble,  a  heroic  act : 
an  act  which  deserves  to  be  handed  down  to  posterity ;  an  act 
which  does  not  have  its  parallel  in  the  annals  of  history  ;  an  act 
which  fairly  eclipses  romance ;  an  act  which  throws  the  deeds 
of  knights  errant  and  the  crusaders  into  insignificance,  and  for 
which  you  should  be  well  rewarded.  I  am  glad  you  have  told 
me  of  it.  I  am  on  the  eve  of  departure  for  home  ;  but  I  have 
friends  of  power  and  influenc-e  in  the  army,  and  you  shall  be 
remembered.  I  am  proud  of  you  for  your  n(,)ble,  brave  acts ; 
I  can  then  set  them  down  as  my  own  ;  and  I  feel  that  I  shall 
leave  a  representative  behind  me  whose  prowess  must  win  him 
laurels  of  imperishable  fame,  and  to  whom  the  War  Depart- 
ment and  Congress  must  sooner  or  later " 

''  Come,  come  !''  exclaimed  Xidd,  drawing  near  and  taking 
Mr.  Wontus  by  the  aim ;  "  the  time  is  up,  and  wo  must  go.  " 

"  Grood-bye,  Benjamin  Wilkins,"  cried  Wontus,  relinciuish- 
inghis  representative's  band  and  moving  off;  "  j*ou  must  take 
good  care  of  yourself,  and  let  me  hear  from  you  frequently. 
If  at  any  time  you  are  in  want  don't  hesitate  to  communicate 

the  fiict,  and "  Further  remarks  were  cut  short  by  Nidd 

dragging  his  friend  out  of  speaking  distance. 

"  Oh,  he's  a  wonderful  man  !  I  have  said  it  before,  and  I 
repeat  it  now,"  exclaimed  Wontus ;  and  then  he  went  over  to 
Nidd  the  story  just  related  by  the  new  recruit. 

"It's  a  lie  !  a  lie  cut  from  the  whole  cloth,  and  I'll  wager 
my  life  on  it!"  Nidd  uttered  these  words  wiih  cutting 
severity,  and  by  the  time  the  gentlemen  had  reached  head- 
quarters the  two  had  had  very  high  words  concerning  the 
veracity  of  the  new  recruit. 

"I  will  find  out,"  cried  Nidd,  as  Wontus  met  his  friend, 


THE   CORPS    OF    OBSERVATION^.  335 

Colonel  Blakcly,  and  in  a  moment  his  long  legs  were  striding 
toward  the  camp  of  Wilkins's  regiment.  Once  here,  he  soon 
found  the  tirst  sergeant  of  Wilkins's  company,  and  through 
him  learned  that  no  detail — not  a  man — I'rom  his  company  or 
regiment  had  been  on  picket  the  night  before,  and  that  no 
horses,  or  anything  else,  had  been  brought  into  camp  since 
their  arrival  at  Harrison's  Landing.  This  was  just  the  in- 
formation which  Nidd  expected,  but"  now  his  desire  was  to 
convince  Wontus  that  he  was  right,  and  that  Wilkins  was  all 
he  had  said  he  was.  Accompanied  by  the  sergeant,  he  imme- 
diately sought  his  friend,  and  in  his  presence  the  following 
dialogue  took  place  between  him  (Nidd)  and  the  sergeant : 

Nidd.  "  Do  you  know  Benjamin  Wilkins?" 

Sergeant.  "  I  do." 

Nidd.  "  How  long  has  he  been  in  your  regimenl  ?" 

Sergeant.  "  He  was  mustered  into  my  company  yesterday 
morning." 

Nidd.  "  Describe  him." 

The  sergeant  described  Benjamin  Wilkins. 

Nidd,  turning  to  Wontus.  "  Our  man,  eh  ?" 

Wontus.  "  Yes." 

Nidd,  to  the  sergeant.  "  Was  there  any  detail  from  your 
company  for  picket  or  other  duty  last  evening?" 

Sergeant.  "  No." 

Nidd.  "Sure?" 

Sergeant.  "  Sure." 

Nidd.  "  Any  from  your  regiment  ?" 

Sergeant.  "No." 

Nidd.  "Sure?" 

Sergeant.  "  Sure." 

Nidd.  "Was  Benjamin  Wilkins  out  of  camp  last  night?" 

Sergeant.  "No." 

Nidd.  "Sure?" 

Sergeant.  "  He  bunked  with  me,  and  it  was  as  much  as  I 
could  do  to  get  him  awake  at  reveille  this  morning." 

Nidd.  "  Any  horses  brought  into  camp  this  morning?" 

Sergeant.  "  No." 

Nidd.  "Sure?" 

Sergeant.  "  Of  course  I  am." 

"  Satisfied?"  asked  Nidd,  with  a  sardonic  smile  on  his  face, 
turninsr  to  Wontus. 


336  WOXTUS,  OR 

Wontus  looked  pained  and  perplexed,  but  he  said  he  was 
satisfied,  and  the  scrj^eant  was  dismissed  with  the  most  pro- 
found thanks  of  his  interrogator. 

Mr.  Wontus  stood  with  his  eyes  upon  the  ground.  He 
had  been  deceived  before,  more  than  once,  yet  he  had  trusted. 
Now  his  confidence  in  his  fellow-man  was  seriously  shaken. 
He  could  not  comprehend  why  it  was  that  Wilkins  should 
tell  him  such  an  uncalled-for  falsehood,  and  he  was  more  sorry 
than  angry.  It  is  probable  that  he  would  have  delivered  some 
remarks  concerning  the  incident,  but  he  was  prevented  by  Mr. 
Nidd  calling  his  attention  to  the  ringing  of  the  steamboat- 
bell,  and  bidding  his  friend  Blakely  a  most  affectionate  good- 
by,  he  followed  Nidd  to  the  landing  and  thence  on  board  the 
boat,  where  Thomas  Thomson  was  already  waiting  to  receive 
him.  In  the  bustle  of  getting  away  the  alFair  was  forgotten, 
and  ere  the  day  was  half  spent  the  frowning  walls  of  Fortress 
Monroe  were  passed,  and  the  party  on  their  way  to  Wash- 
ington. 

"On  arriving  at  the  capital  Nidd  at  once  sought  an  interview 
with  the  President,  and  spread  his  views  concerning  sundry 
things  connected  with  the  war  before  him.  While  he  was 
doing  this  Mr.  Woutus  had  found  his  friend  Moxley,  and 
through  him  learned  many  things  concerning  Mrs.  Flick, 
some  of  which  were  agreeable  and  some  were  not.  Among 
the  first  were  the  kind  words  which  the  lady  always  used 
when  speaking  of  him  (Wontus)  during  his  absence.  It  was 
his  nature  to  look  upon  the  agreeable  side  of  life,  so  he  forgot 
the  details  of  her  lamentations  over  the  death  of  a  man  whom 
he  looked  upon  as  a  villain,  and  thought  only  T)f  the  joy  she 
expressed  when  remembering  his  own  kindness.  He  reiterated 
to  himself  time  and  again  that  he  did  not  love  the  lady,  that 
is,  he  didn't  think  he  did,  for  he  saw  nothing  in  his  actions 
toward  her  that  made  him  appear,  in  even  the  remotest  sense, 
like  the  lovers  he  had  read  of  in  the  works  of  fiction  or  had 
seen  on  the  stage.  But  he  dreamed  of  her  the  first  night  he 
spent  in  Washington,  for  all  that. 

The  following  morning  Gascon  Nidd  suddenly  left  Wash- 
ington, and  our  hero  was  left  with  none  of  his  original  party, 
save  Thomas  Thomson,  to  do  him  honor. 


THE  CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  337 


CHAPTER   XXXII. 

IN  WHICH  MR.  NIDD  REVISITS  THE  QUAKER  CITY,  BE- 
COMES A  PARTICIPANT  IN  A  FIREMAN's  RIOT,  AND  IS 
A  JILTED  MAN. 

That  Nidd's  sudden  departure  from  Washington  did  not  ex- 
cite any  particular  comment  on  the  part  of  either  of  the  leading 
gentlemen  of  the  corps,  is  probably  due  to  the  fact  that  each 
one  was  preoccupied  by  other  things.  In  fact,  Mr.  Wontus  con- 
fidentially communicated  to  Thomas  Thomson  that  he  would 
feel  very  much  freer  in  Mr.  Nidd's  absence  than  in  his  pres- 
ence. As  for  Nidd,  he  took  his  seat  in  the  cars  as  though  he 
was  glad  of  the  opportunity,  and  before  the  train  had  com- 
menced to  move,  bid  his  friends  good-bye,  and  settled  himself 
into  a  sleeping  position,  and  in  that  way  indicated,  if  he  did 
not  utter  it,  that  he  had  nothing  more  to  say.  He  was  going 
to  sleep.  As  the  train  sped  along  Mr.  Nidd's  rest  was  un- 
easy. He  was  dreamy,  and  he  saw  a  great  many  things  that 
were  startling  and  strange ;  but  looming  up  from  the  chaos 
there  always  came  a  maze  of  long  narrow  streets,  dark  lanes 
and  narrow  back-alleys.  Hovering  over  and  about  these 
streets  and  alleys  was  the  form  of  a  woman.  She  came  as 
though  riding  on  the  edge  of  a  mass  of  fleecy  clouds,  and 
upon  her  head  was  a  golden  chaplet.  Her  form,  save  her 
head  and  face,  was  lost  in  the  gauzy  drapery  which  fell  in 
graceful  profusion  about  her,  and  then  lost  itself  in  the  mist. 
Nidd  shook  himself  two  or  three  times,  and  wondered  what 
could  ever  have  put  such  nonsense  in  his  head  ;  but  when 
again  he  dozed,  the  dream  came  back  as  before,  with  the 
addition  that  the  face  of  the  woman  in  the  clouds  bore  a 
striking  likeness  to  that  of  Mrs.  Squirm.  Baltimore  was 
reached  and  passed  before  he  succeeded  in  waking  himself 
thoroughly,  and  he  was  almost  sure,  as  he  opened  his  eyes, 
that  the  form  of  E.  P.  M.  Higginson,  otherwise  Scribendi, 
had  just  passed  him.  But  he  was  in  a  condition  of  uncer- 
tainty, and  the  knowledge  that  he  had  left  his  rival  with  the 
K  29 


338  WOXTCS,  OR 

army  on  the  banks  of  the  James  made  him  place  that  gentle- 
man among  the  characters  of  his  dream,  and  b}'  the  time  he 
arrived  in  Philadelphia  he  had  made  up  his  mind  as  to  the 
course  of  action  he  should  pursue  concerning  the  object  of 
his  visit. 

It  was  night  when  he  alighted  from  the  cars,  and  as  his 
clothes  were  neither  of  a  fashionable  cut  or  very  fine,  or  his 
baggage  of  a  very  striking  description,  he  quickly  emerged 
from  the  depot  and  thence  through  the  throng  of  hackmen, 
never  once  stopping  or  heeding  anybody  until  he  had  reached 
the  opposite  side  of  the  street.  Here  he  stopped  and  gazed 
along  the  wide  straight  avenue.  He  had  made  up  his  mind, 
while  on  the  train,  to  proceed  at  once  to  the  liouse  of  his 
adored,  but  now  that  it  was  close  at  hand  and  the  hour  was 
somewhat  late,  he  commenced  to  question  the  propriety  of  the 
visit.  He  turned  the  subject  over  in  his  mind  many  times 
as  he  walked  slowly  along,  and  had  just  passed  South  Street 
when  he  was  startled  by  the  cry  of  fire.  Now  tdmost  any 
sort  of  excitement  had  a  charm  for  Mr.  Nidd,  providing  he 
could  view  it  from  a  perfectly  safe  distance,  and  now  that  he 
had  nothing  particular  to  do  and  the  firemen  commenced 
running  past  him,  and  the  bells  were  banging  in  every  direc- 
tion, he  stopped  and  looked  on  with  pleasurable  interest. 
There  was  considerable  noise  in  every  direction,  but  far  be- 
yond him,  toward  the  centre  of  the  city,  there  came  up  a  dull 
roaring  sound,  among  which  he  could  distinguish  an  occa- 
sional cheer  or  yell  of  defiance. 

He  had  often  heard  of  those  little  pleasantries  which  the 
firemen  were  accustomed  to  amuse  themselves  with,  and  which 
the  newspapers  spoke  of  under  the  head  of  riots  ;  but  as  he 
stood  there  listening,  it  never  occurred  to  him  that  the  roaring 
or  the  yells  emanated  from  any  such  occasion.  Gradually  the 
sounds  had  been  nearing  him,  and  now  they  broke  full  upon 
him,  as  a  throng  of  surging,  struggling  men,  among  which  he 
could  hear  the  clatter  of  bells  and  see  the  burnished  bniss 
mountings  of  an  engine,  came  full  in  view  from  around  a  neigh- 
boring corner.  Onward  they  came,  now  one  side  of  the  street 
and  then  the  other ;  and  then,  as  if  by  some  immutjible  law, 
compelled  to  do  it,  choking  up  the  very  street  itself,  until 
from  house  to  house  every  inch  of  space  was  filled  Ijy  ;i  human 
form.     He  stood  and  gazed,  and  was  parsing  the  time  pleas- 


V0|-    THINK    MK    ALONK    AND    nEFE.NSKLESs/   SHK    CONTINUED." 

Page  ;M3. 


THE   CORPS  OF  OBSERVATION.  339 

antly.  Thus  far  he  had  been  a  passive  spectator  of  the  scene, 
but  as  the  crowd  came  surging  along  the  street,  now  on  this 
side  and  then  on  that,  he  became  more  interested,  and  turning 
to  an  urchin  who  stood  by  his  side,  he  asked  the  reason  of  all 
the  excitement.  "  They're  a  racin',''  said  the  boy,  and  then 
Nidd  and  his  young  friend  walked  out  into  the  street,  that 
they  might  be  better  able  to  observe  what  was  passing. 

This  slight  movement  on  Mr.  Nidd's  part  was  followed  by 
most  disastrous  results.  A  moment  after  he  had  reached  the 
cobble-stones  there  seemed  to  be  a  lull  in  the  excitement. 
The  bells  had  ceased  clanging,  and  the  engine  stood  stationary 
in  the  street.  The  lull  was  but  momentary,  for  now  the  noise 
broke  forth  with  a  violence  thrice  multiplied,  and,  with  fright- 
ful yells  and  cheers,  the  surging,  struggling  mass  came  sweep- 
ing down,  and  ere  Nidd  was  well  aware  of  it,  he  was  caught 
in  the  tide  and  borne  onward.  Howling,  shouting  men  were 
on  all  sides  of  him,  looking  like  demons  in  the  dull  glare  of 
the  street  lamps,  and  before  he  could  escape  from  the  stream 
he  had  seen  enough  to  convince  him  that  his  position  was 
precarious  in  the  extreme.  He  struggled  manfully  to  escape 
from  the  throng,  and  once  or  twice  succeeded,  only  to  find 
himself  caught  up  again  in  a  moment  and  carried  back  into 
the  melee.  Panting  and  excited,  he  at  length  reached  the 
sidewalk,  and  sought  the  shelter  of  a  tree-box,  which  he 
clasped  in  his  arms  as  though  it  was  the  dearest  friend  he  had 
on  earth.  Onward  swept  the  crowd,  but  the  worst  was  over. 
Men  and  half-grown  boys  were  still  thronging  the  sidewalks ; 
but  he  heeded  them  not,  but  stood  congratulating  himself 
upon  his  escape  from  such  imminent  danger.  It  was  now 
plain  to  him  that  what  he  had  just  escaped  from  was  a  fire- 
man's fight,  and  he  shook  his  head  in  a  threatening  way,  as 
though  nothing  was  wanting  but  power  for  him  to  forever  do 
away  with  the  peculiar  amusement.  He  was  engaged  in  this 
when  a  young  gentleman,  wearing  a  red  shirt,  stepped  up  to 
him,  and  asked  him  what  he  run  with. 

In  an  instant  Nidd  was  on  his  mettle.  "  I  run  with  my 
legs,"  he  replied. 

"  Here's  one  of  'em  !"  shouted  the  man  to  some  of  his  com- 
panions in  the  street ;  and  without  further  ado,  one-quarter  of 
the  corps  of  observation,  now  in  Philadeli^hia,  was  felled  to 
the  ground,  and  then  most  cruelly  beaten. 


340  WOXTUS,  OR 

It  was  morning  when  Nidd  came  clearly  and  fully  to  him- 
self, and  found  himself  within  the  walls  of  a  hospital.  He 
felt  sore  and  was  bruised,  and  his  valise  was  missing.  But 
his  attending  phjsician  said  that  there  was  no  great  haim 
done,  and  that  he  was  at  liberty  to  leave  the  institution  at  any 
time.  I  presume  that  most  places  come  in  for  a  share  of  the 
curses  of  those  who  are  unfortunate  within  their  boun(]s. 
Hence  I  venture  nothing  when  I  say  that  Nidd  cursed  the 
Quaker  City.  A  visit  to  one  of  its  residents,  and  he  would 
leave  it,  and  forever !     Circumstances  alter  cases. 

It  was  late  in  the  day  when  he  presented  himself  at  a  fa- 
miliar door  on  Walnut  Street,  and  boldly  pulled  the  bell.  No 
answer  came,  and  he  pulled  again.  As  he  stood  on  the  step, 
he  thought  that  he  heard  suppressed  laughter  near  him,  Ijut 
no  form  was  visible.  Could  it  be  that  the  charming  woman 
was  peeping  at  him  from  between  the  blinds  ?  It  might  be, 
and  yet  he  could  not  make  himself  believe  that  any  womau 
could  so  far  deny  herself  of  the  pleasure  of  his  company  as  to 
keep  him  waiting  even  for  a  moment. 

"  You're  too  late,"  said  a  voice,  in  answer  to  the  last  pull. 
And  looking  up,  Mr.  Nidd  saw  the  face  of  Miss  Bridget,  Mrs. 
Squirm's  maid  of  all-work. 

"Ah!  Miss  Bridget,"  cried  Nidd,  assuming  his  most  be- 
witching smile,  "  you've  not  all  retired  ?" 

"Retired?"  cried  the  woman.  "An'  faith,  what  time  do 
you  think  we  retire  ?" 

"But  you  said  I  was  too  late,"  said  Nidd.  "  My  compli- 
ments to  Mrs.  Squirm,  if  you  please." 

"  An'  sure,  are  you  in  earnest?" 

"Certainly!"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  decidedly. 

"An'  you  haven't  heard?" 

"Heard  what?"  demanded  Nidd. 

"  Oh,  dear  !  oh,  dear!"  laughed  the  woman. 

"  Well?"  cried  Nidd,  as  though  expecting  an  answer. 

"An'  sure,  she's  married," 

"  Married !"  said  Mr.  Nidd,  as  though  he  might  have  mis- 
understood the  remark. 

"To  Mr.  Higginson,  who  came  up  from  the  army  last  night 
for  that  very  purpose,  and  they're  now  takin'  a  travelin'  for  a 
few  days,"  Nidd  waited  to  hear  no  more.  With  an  excla- 
mation too  violent  for  those  who  read  this  to  pronounce,  he 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  341 

hurriedly  left  the  house,  turned  the  first  corner,  and  was  out 
of  siiiht. 

How  quickly  and  how  wonderfully  will  "circumstances 
alter  cases."  When  the  austere  conveyancer  believed  himself 
to  be  the  successful  wooer,  the  long,  narrow  streets,  dark  lanes, 
and  narrow  back  alleys,  were  famous  and  most  desirable 
property.  Now  that  he  was  jilted,  the  whole  property, 
streets,  lanes,  back  alleys,  and  all,  were  most  undesirable  and 
worthless.  But  Nidd  did  not  blame  himself,  for  in  after 
years  he  was  frequently  heard  to  say  that  had  it  not  been  for 
the  firemen  (and  he  swore  when  he  said  it),  he  would  un- 
doubtedly have  been  a  twice-married  man.  A  matter  of  a  few 
hours'  had  settled  his  fate.  That  night  he  left  for  New  York, 
and  the  following  morning  found  his  office- shutters  open,  and 
the  owner,  wearing  the  same  look  as  of  old,  standing  in  the 
doorway.     He  was  already  looking  for  business. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

CATCHES    MR.  WONTUS    IN    THE    TOILS   OF   LOVE,  AND  AFTER 
SEVERAL   DISAPPOINTMENTS    RENDERS    HIM    HAPPY. 

With  Nidd  at  home  in  New  York,  it  now  becomes  neces- 
sary to  return  to  Washington.  The  moment  Mr.  Wontus  saw 
the  train  move  out  of  the  depot,  he  returned  to  the  hotel  and 
made  preparations  for  a  visit  to  the  widow.  He  thought  that 
he  knew  her  quite  well,  and  he  felt  every  confidence  in  his 
ability  to  acquit  himself  with  credit.  Feeling  this  way,  he 
walked  boldly  up  the  street,  and  just  as  boldly  knocked  at  the 
door.  He  gave  his  name  to  the  person  who  opened  the  door, 
and  was  ushered  into  the  parlor.  A  moment  more  and  the 
lady  was  before  him.  The  bravery  and  confidence  of  Mr. 
Wontus  faded  away  like. a  breath  when  Mrs.  Flick  entered 
the  room.  AVlien  she  thanked  him  for  his  kindness  io  her, 
he  felt  miserable;  when  she  came  to  question  him  concerning 
the  death  of  her  husband,  he  wished  that  he  had  not  come. 

"  Are  you  sure  it  was  him  ?"  she  asked. 
29* 


342  WOXTUS,  OB 

It  now  became  necessary  for  Wontus  to  tell  her  how  he 
knew,  beyond  question,  that  private  Flick,  of  the  — th  Penn- 
sylvania, and  Major  Flick,  of  the  — th  Alabama,  were  identi- 
cal, and  in  doing  this  he  unintentionally  and  thoughtlessly  in- 
troduced the  name  of  Colonel  Blakely. 

^^ He  there?"  she  cried,  the  tears  for  the  first  time  coming 
to  her  eyes.  "  He  there,  a  witness  to  the  death  of  my  hus- 
band! Heavenly  Father,  thy  will  be  done!"  She  had  been 
leaning  with  her  arm  upon  the  table,  but  when  she  finished 
sjDeaking  she  buried  her  face  in  her  hands,  and,  lemming  for- 
ward, sobbed  as  though  her  very  heart  was  bursting. 

Wontus  was  no  philosopher,  at  least  not  where  tears  were ; 
he  generally  acted  from  the  impulse  of  his  heart,  and  now  his 
heart  prompted  him  to  soothe  the  sorrow-stricken  woman. 

'"  Don't  cry,  madam."  he  said,  rising  to  his  feet  and  speak- 
ing in  the  most  pitiful  accents.  "  Don't  cry.  He  was  a — 
was  a — he  died  game,  madam,  very  game."  Had  Wontus 
been  a  cock-fighter  or  a  pugilist,  it  is  probable  that  he  could 
not  have  chosen  more  fitting,  or  at  least  more  expressive  lan- 
guage ;  but  to  a  refined  woman,  deeply  stricken  with  grief,  he 
felt  sure  his  words  sounded  harsh  and  coarse,  and  he  sought 
to  improve  his  expressions  of  sympathy.  He  tried  again  and 
again,  but  without  success.  '-What  am  I  to  do?"  he  cried. 
"  I  have  made  a  mistaka ;  he  did  not  die  game ;  that  is.  he 
died  g-ame  enough  ;  but  it's  not  that  that  I  want  to  say.  He 
spoke  of  you  fondly,  madam,  ver}'  fondl3\  and  I  saw  him 
buried  with  honor,  and  with  my  own  eyes.  His  wound  wasn't 
very  painful ;  it  was  the  internal  hemorrhage  which  caused 
his  death."  Mr.  Wontus  ceased  speaking,  feeling  that  his 
words  were  unsuitable  to  the  occasion,  and  the  lady's  sobs  cut 
into  his  he^irt  like  a  knife. 

"  Don't  weep,"  he  cried,  almost  beside  himself,  and  speak- 
ing in  accents  of  the  deepest  commiseration.  '•  I  beg  of  you, 
madam,  don't  weep  so ;  I  know  it  is  sad,  but  there  is  a 
brighter  day  dawning."  As  he  spoke  he  glided  to  her  side, 
and  sank  upon  his  knees  and  clasped  the  folds  of  her  dress 
with  his  hands.  Neither  by  look  or  action  did  she  appear  to 
notice  him.  He  thought  he  was  doing  better.  "  I  knew 
your  husband  well  ;  he  was  not  deserving — I  mean  he  was 
deserving.  But  do.  madam,  do  stop  weeping."  He  grasped 
her  hand  as  he  spoke,  and  held  it.     She  did  not  ofi"er  to  with- 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  343 

draw  it.  Tears  stood  in  his  eyes,  but  his  face  was  fluslied. 
As  he  aftervrards  was  heard  to  say,  "  a  million  thou<ahts" 
passed  through  his  head,  but  his  li|)8  would  not  articulate  a 
syllable ;  a  strange  lump  came  into  his  throat,  and  his  tongue 
was  parched  and  dry.     For  a  moment  there  was  silence. 

"  Madam — Mrs.  Flick — Catherine,"  he  cried,  at  length, 
"  your  husband  is  dead, — I  love  you  !"  Another  word  would 
have  choked  him.  I  cannot  undertake  to  describe  him  as  he 
knelt — rather  sat — on  the  floor.  There  was  too  much  in  the 
scene  for  anything,  save  the  imagination,  to  picture.  Had  it 
been  so  ordered  that  he  should  be  hung  at  the  expiration  of 
one  minute  if  he  did  not  speak,  Wontus  would  have  been  no 
more  and  our  story  ended. 

It  is  probable  that  his  silence  more  than  his  declaration 
caused  the  woman  to  raise  her  head  from  the  table,  and  throw 
her  swimming,  sorrowful  eyes  full  upon  him.  Brief  as  tlie 
look  was,  it  sent  a  thrill  through  Wontus's  frame,  and  although 
he  quailed  beneath  it,  his  knees  instinctively  crawled  forward 
and  brought  him  nearer. 

"  My  dear  Mrs.  — ^ — ,"  his  remarks  were  cut  short  by  the 
lady. 

"  Cease,  sir !  cease,  I  pray  you,"  she  cried ;  "  do  not  add 
insult  to  the  other  miseries  which  weigh  upon  me.  You  have 
been  kind,  nay,  generous,  to  me ;  but  rather  to  have  you  pre- 
sume because  of  your  generosity,  I  would  beg  my  bread  from 
doT)r  to  door!"  As  she  spoke  she  rose  to  her  feet  and  stood 
looking  upon  our  hero  with  flashing  eyes  and  heaving  bosom. 
"  You  think  me  alone  and  defenseless,"  she  continued,  "  but 
you  mistake.  I  have  a  flither  and  fond  friends  who  will  pro- 
tect me  when  I  am  unable  to  protect  myself  I  am  a  Southern 
woman,  sir,  and  feel  deeply  the  grief  and  insult  that  has  been 
put  upon  me,  but  not  too  deeply  to  resent  it,  sir.  I  have  to 
acknowledge  your  kindness, — your  alms ;  would  to  heaven  it 
were  not  so  ! — but  it  shall  be  returned  to  you  ;  yes,  sir ;  and 
with  interest."  She  ceased  speaking  and  sank  into  her  chair. 
Wontus  saw  now  that  he  had  been  hasty ;  that  he  had  made 
a  serious  mistake  ;  it  was  an  error, — not  an  error  of  judgment, 
for  at  that  moment  he  had  none, — but  an  error  which  S])rang 
from  an  honest  and  honorable  impulse  over  which  he  liad  no 
control.  He  was  deeply  wounded  ;  he  felt  that  he  had  been 
misunderstood ;  and  as  he  gathered  himself  from  the  floor  and 


344  WOXTCS,  OR 

Stood  brushing  the  dust  from  his  knees,  he  endeavored  to  ex- 
plain, but  every  idea  which  came  into  his  head  seemed  but  to 
add  to  the  dilemma,  and  he  resolved  to  go.  He  would  leave 
Washington  immediately. 

'•Madam,"  said  he,  with  a  sort  of  subdued  dignity,  taking 
up  his  hat  and  walking  toward  the  door,  '^  you  have  misunder- 
stood me; 'you  have  cruelly "     He  could  say  no  more. 

He  opened  the  door  without  knowing  exactly  how,  and  walked 
out  into  the  street  and  made  his  way  directly  to  the  hotel. 
Thomas  Thomson  was  standing  in  the  hall  when  his  master 
rushed  into  the  house  and  up  the  stairs.  He  noticed  that 
there  was  something  a  little  out  of  the  usual  routine  on  his 
mind,  but  he  was  entirely  unprepared  for  the  burst  of  mingled 
sorrow  and  rage  which  greeted  him  when  he  entered  the  room. 

"  Thomas,"  cried  Mr.  Wontus,  turning  over  the  papers 
which  lay  on  the  table,  and  looking  in  all  directions  for  some- 
thing, he  knew  not  what,  "  we  shall  leave  this  infernal  place 
on  the  next  train.  Not  a  word,  Thomas  !  Have  everything 
in  readiness  to  leave."  He  spoke  determinedly.  "  What 
time  does  the  next  train  leave  ?  We  shall  go  in  the  first  one, 
Thomas,  no  matter  where  it  goes  to.  We  leave  here  imme- 
diately." To  all  things  Thomas  answered  as  best  he  could  ; 
but  not  knowing  anything  about  the  departure  of  the  railroad 
trains,  he  said  so.  At  any  other  time  Wontus  would  have 
diligently  searched  the  newspapers  to  find  the  time  schedule, 
but  now  there  appeared  to  be  no  time  for  doing  anything. 

'•'  Tommy,  you  go  down  to  the  clerk's  office ;  tell  him  to 
have  our  bill  ready,  and  ask  what  time  the  next  train  leaves 
for  New  York,  or  anywhere  else."  Wontus  spoke  with  less 
excitement  than  had  characterized  him  a  few  moments  before, 
and  as  Thomson  left  the  room,  a  painful  shade  of  sorrow  came 
over  his  face,  and  he  sat  down  and  rested  his  head  in  his 
hand. 

"  My  life,"  he  soliloquized,  with  a  groan,  "  has  been  a  mis- 
take. I  am  an  unhappy,  miserable  wretch.  What  do  I  live 
for  ?  I  visited  the  army,  hoping  that  I  might  be  of  some  ser- 
vice ;  but  I  have  done  nothing,  literally  nothing,  and  hun- 
dreds of  dollars  have  been  squandered  for  nothing.  I  will 
return  to  New  York.  (A  pause.)  Why  are  there  no  con- 
vents, no  nunneries  for  men  like  there  are  for  women  ?  I  have 
money  ;  why  not  institute  one  myself,  and  be  the  first  inmate  ? 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  345 

(His  face  brigliteiicd  for  a  muiiient,  and  then  again  assumed 
its  former  shade  of  sorrow.)  No,  no ;  I'm  a  fool.  No  man 
has  a  right,  nobody,  woman  or  man,  has  a  right  to  shut  them- 
selves up  from  the  world.  (A  pause.)  I  have  been  this 
woman's  friend.  Shall  I  confess  it, — that  which  is  now  so 
plain, — I  have  loved  her  and  she  spurns  me.  I  gave  her  no- 
thing in  charity ;  I  gave  as  I  would  give  to  any  human  being 
who  needed." 

He  ceased  speaking,  and  for  a  moment  looked  at  the  floor 
in  silence.  "  Yes,  yes,"  he  continued;  "  one  such  mistake  in 
the  life  of  a  man  is  enough.  Henceforth  and  forever,  woman 
shall  be  my  aversion  !" 

He  took  up  a  newspaper  and  commenced  to  read.  The 
news  from  the  West  and  South  was  most  cheering.  New 
Orleans,  under  the  old  flag,  was  prospering ;  Morgan  was 
being  driven  from  Kentucky ;  Grant  and  Farragut  were  pre- 
paring for  the  reduction  of  Vicksburg,  and  Burnside  was 
winning  new  victories  in  the  Carolinas.  He  read  these 
things,  but  they  had  lost  their  interest. 

It  was  while  he  was  reading  of  Morgan's  raid  into  Ken- 
tucky that  he  came  across  an  item  which  seemed  to  attract  his 
attention,  without  his  desiring  it.  Colonel  Blakely  had  given 
him  the  name  of  Mrs.  Flick's  father,  and  now  that  same  name, 
and  from  Alabama  too,  stood  before  him  as  one  among  the 
killed  in  the  fight  at  Cynthiana.  A  thrill  passed  through 
his  frame  as  he  read.  His  first  thought  was  to  carry  the 
paper  to  Mrs.  Flick ;  his  second,  to  say  nothing  about  it,  and 
follow  out  his  original  intentions.  He  had  just  made  up  his 
mind  to  the  latter  line  of  action  when  Tommy  entered  the 
room  and  announced  that  the  first  train  for  New  York  left  at 
5.30,  but  that  trains  left  every  hour  or  two  for  Baltimore. 

"  Very  good,  very  good,"  replied  Mr.  Wontus,  his  mind 
wandering  to  the  scene  of  the  morning.  He  saw  nothing 
wrong  in  it ;  perhaps  a  little  improper,  but  certainly  nothing- 
wrong  ;  and  then  he  fell  to  silent  musing.  It  was  while  he 
was  thus  engaged  that  a  servant  knocked  at  the  door,  and  pre- 
sented a  note  to  Thomas  Thomson,  who  handed  it  to  Wontus. 
He  took  it  mechanically,  and  glanced  at  the  superscription — • 

"  0.  Wontus,  Esq., 

"  Swimldem  s  Hotel., 
"  Present.  Washington'^ 

V* 


34G  woxTus,  on 

For  Mr.  "Wontus  to  receive  a  note  was  something  which 
did  not  often  occur ;  to  receive  one  in  Washin^on,  where 
he  was  so  little  acquainted,  was  ceitaiuly  extraoidinary,  and 
so  he  appeared  to  consider  it.  There  are  times  when  men 
who  have  the  sharpest  eyes  seem  to  regard  it  as  highly  neces- 
sary that  they  should  be  the  possessors  of  a  pair  of  specta- 
cles, or  something  of  that  character.  This  was  Wontut^'s 
condition  now.  The  moment  he  saw  the  note  he  noticed  that 
the  superscription  was  in  a  lady's  liand,  and  that  it  was  ad- 
dressed to  him,  yet  he  did  not  ofier  to  open  it.  First  he 
held  it  a  long  way  off  and  to  the  right ;  then  he  brought  it 
closer  and  to  the  left ;  then  he  drew  it  still  closer,  and  again 
held  it  at  arm's  length.  "  From  a  woman?  Certiiinly  !"  He 
asked  the  question  and  answered  it  himself.  Then  he  turned 
it  over  and  looked  at  the  back,  and  then  the  edges,  as  though 
he  expected  the  paper  inside  to  break  forth  of  its  own  accord 
and  spread  itself  before  him.  Now  he  took  it  to  the  window, 
and  as  he  did  so  the  sad  look  which  had  clouded  his  face  a  mo- 
ment before  was  forced  aside  by  a  smile.  It  was  really  an 
important  occasion,  and  quite  unexpected. 

During  all  this  time  Thomas  Thomson  stood  watching 
Wontus  closely,  momentarily  expecting  some  new  development 
to  grow  out  of  this  most  unusual,  and,  to  him,  unaccountable 
event.  But  Wontus  heeded  him  not.  The  man  who  but  a 
few  moments  before  could  not  wait  a  moment  was  now  seem- 
ingly in  no  hurry  whatever. 

3Ir.  Wontus  having  looked  in  vain  for  the  envelope  to  burst 
of  its  own  accord,  remarked  to  himself  that  he  should  keep 
cool,  and  drawing  a  chair  to  the  window  he  took  a  lingering, 
questioning  sort  of  farewell  look  at  the  envelope,  and  then 
leisurely  took  out  his  knife,  and  inserted  the  blade  under  the 
flaps  of  the  cover.  His  action  was  that  of  a  cool  man,  but  his 
hand  shook  nervously.  The  letter  was  before  hini,  and  read 
as  follows : 

''  0.  Wontus,  Esq.  : 

"  Respected  Sir, — I  beg  of  you  to  pardon  me  if  I  intrude, 
but  I  feel  that  I  owe  you  so  much  for  your  kindness  that  it 
would  be  unchristian-like  and  ungrateful  in  me  to  permit  you 
to  leave  the  city  without  thanking  you. 

"  I  was  deeply  pained  this  morning,  yet  I  do  not  mention  this 


THE   CORPS   OF   OliSEUYATION.  347 

in  excuse.  Perhaps  in  calmer  moments  we  might  both  act 
differently.  If  this  note  reaches  you  and  you  do  not  consider 
it  too  much  trouble  to  call,  I  shall  be  glad  to  see  you  this 
evening.  "  I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

"  Thursday.  C.  L.  Flick." 


This  was  all  that  was  needed  to  change  the  whole  current 
of  Wontus's  present  life.  The  weight  which  had  laid  so  heavily 
upon  his  heart  since  his  confession  of  love  was  lifted  off  in  a 
moment,  and  he  felt  lighter  in  the  body  by  twenty  pounds  and 
younger  in  the  heart  by  twenty  years.  His  joy  partook  of  an 
effervescing  character,  and  he  laughed  heartily  and  did  many 
extravagant  and  unusual  things.  Occasionally  he  would  stop 
and  gaze  upon  the  note  for  a  moment,  and  then  go  off  again, 
until  at  length  excessive  heat  and  exhaustion  compelled  him 
to  be  seated.  lie  laid  the  note  before  him,  then  resting  his 
forehead  on  his  hands  and  his  elbows  on  the  table,  he  gazed 
upon  the  note  in  silent  admiration. 

"  The  clerk  says  the  bill  will  be  ready  when  you  are  ready," 
remarked  Tommy,  furnishing  the  information  which  he  had 
been  sent  to  secure. 

Wontus  lifted  his  head  for  a  moment  and  glared  at  his  man 
in  silence. 

"  Everything  are  ready,"  continued  Tommy,  ''  and  we  can 
leave " 

"  Leave  !"  cried  Wontus,  "  Leave  !  "We'll  never  leave  !"  As 
he  spoke  he  struck  the  table  a  violent  blow  with  his  fist.  No, 
he  would  never  leave.  These  were  his  thoughts  at  that  mo- 
ment, for  but  one  line  of  the  note  found  a  place  in  his  head, 
and  that  was  the  line  which  asked  him  to  call.  Call !  He 
would  have  undertaken  to  dance  a  jig  on  the  Vice-President's 
desk  in  the  Senate  chamber ! 

"  Thomas," — Mr.  Wontus  spoke  with  a  forced  calmness,  which 
he  intended  to  be  terrible, — "  ink,  paper,  pens  ;  this  letter  must 
be  answered." 

Thomas  merely  said  "  Yes,  sir,"  and  was  out  of  the  door  in 
a  jiffy  (whatever  that  is).  In  due  time  he  returned,  and  the 
process  of  writing  a  fitting  reply  to  the  lady's  note  was  com- 
menced. Sheet  after  sheet  was  written,  and  destroyed  almost 
as  quickly  as  it  was  written ;  and.  evening  came  and  the  reply 
was  no  nearer  written  than  before. 


34S  WOXTUS,  OR 

''Torn"  (it  was  a  very  extraordinary  occasion  when  Mr. 
Wontus  addressed  3Ir.  Thomson  by  his  abbreviated  title), 
"  do  you  know  where  Third  Street  is?" 

Thomson  answered  that  he  did. 

"  I  am  nervous  and  unsettled,"  continued  Wontus,  aside. 
"  I  must  send  a  reply,  but  I  can't  write  it."  With  this,  he 
turned  to  his  man  and  repeated  the  question  already  answered. 

"You  will  go  there,"  he  continued,  ''and  tell  Mrs.  Flick 
that,  owing  to  business  engagements, — owing  to  husutess  en- 
gagements. Tommy,  do  you  hear? — I  shall  be  compelled  to 
remain  in  the  city  much  longer  than  I  expected,  and  there- 
fore,— and  therefore,  Tomm}',  I  shall  do  myself  the  honor  of 
calling  upon  her  this  evening.  Be  particular,  and  deliver  the 
message  in  the  same  dignified  manner  that  I  deliver  it  to 
you.     Do  you  hear?" 

Thomas  answered  that  he  did  hear,  and  in  a  moment  had 
rushed  from  the  room  and  was  going  down  the  staii-s,  taking 
three  steps  at  a  leap.  Suddenly  it  occurred  to  him  that  while 
it  was  true  tbat  he  did  know  where  Third  Street  was.  yet  he 
was  entirely  ignorant  as  to  what  particular  part  of  Third  Street 
Mrs.  Flick  might  be  found  at.  He  turned  back  with  many 
misgivings,  and.  like  other  men  who  do  similar  things  and  think 
of  them  a  moment  too  late,  he  bhimcd  himself  for  his  stupidity. 

When  he  returned  to  the  room  Mr.  Wontus  was  still  gaz- 
ing on  the  note,  and  he  was  smiling,  as  though  well  satisfied 
with  himself  and  all  the  world.  ''  Ah,  Thomas,  what  now  ?" 
he  asked. 

Thomas  explained,  and  in  due  time  had  full  directions,  and 
set  out  to  deliver  the  message  which  Wontus  had  found  im- 
possible to  write. 

During  Thomson's  absence,  the  meditations  of  Wontus  were 
varied  in  the  extreme.  That  he  loved,  he  no  longer  refused 
to  believe.  He  had  loved  before,  when  he  was  a  young  man, 
but  until  he  confessed  his  passion  for  the  widow  Flick  his 
love  had  never  found  expression  in  words.  And  now  a  new 
question  was  presented.  He  had  long  since  given  up  the  idea 
of  taking  a  wife ;  he  had  commenced  to  look  upon  himself  as 
a  man  who  was  incapable  of  making  himself  or  an3-body  else 
happy.  He  had  money  ;  he  had  everything  but  courage  ;  and 
now  that  he  had  confessed  his  passion  for  the  widow  he  felt 
that  he  was  in  duty  bound  to  follow  it  up.     But  how  ?    That 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.    -*  349 

was  what  puzzled  him.  lie  had  commenced  to  wish  that  he 
had  not  paid  any  attention  to  the  note,  had  conducted  liim- 
self  as  tliough  he  had  never  received  it,  when  his  meditations 
were  interrupted  by  the  return  of  Thomson  with  the  message 
tliat  the  hidy  was  glad  that  Mr.  Wontus's  business  had  pre- 
vented him  from  leaving  the  city ;  also,  that  she  would  be 
pleased  to  see  him. 

There  was  nothing  deceitful  about  Mr.  Wontus.  lie  was 
terribly  in  earnest,  and  the  very  honesty  of  his  intentions 
made  him  believe  and  feel  that  he  had  gone  too  far  to  recede, 
and  that  the  lady  had  a  right,  and  would  therefore  expect, 
more  than  a  mere  declaration  to  spring  from  what  had  already 
transpired.  This  was  the  construction  he  placed  upon  her 
note,  and  this  was  the  feeling  which  governed  him  as  he  set 
about  making  his  toilet  for  the  visit. 

When  a  man  makes  himself  believe  that  he  iiimt^  willing 
or  unwilling,  do  some  certain  thing,  there  is  generally  more  or 
less  of  what  is  called  desperation  about  it  than  if  he  did  it 
without  making  himself  believe  that  it  was  necessary.  Won- 
tus had  made  himself  believe  that  this  visit  must  be  paid. 
He  had  entirely  ignored  the  scene  of  the  morning,  and  as  he 
stood  once  more  in  the  little  parlor  on  Third  Street  his  mind 
was  busy  with  the  future. 

The  lady,  neatly  attired  in  black,  entered  the  room,  and 
W^ontus's  heart  at  once  jumped  to  his  mouth.  He  bowed 
ceremoniously  and  awkwardly.  Her  first  movement  was  to 
walk  directly  up  to  him  and  take  his  hand  in  hers,  and  with 
sorrowful,  but  dignified  accents,  to  ask  his  pardon.  He  would 
have  pardoned  her  if  she  had  been  a  murderess ;  but  no  word 
escaped  his  lips. 

"  Perhaps  I  may  have  been  wrong,"  she  said,  with  a  quiet 
dignity,  which  the  knowledge  that  she  was  doing  right  made 
most  affecting,  "  in  asking  you  to  come  here  this  evening " 

"  Wrong?  Oh,  no,  niad:an  ;  not  at  all ;  not  at  all,  I  assure 
you,"  replied  Wontus,  without  waiting  for  the  sentence  to  be 
finished. 

"  You  have  been  very  kind,"  continued  the  lady,  without 
noticing  the  interruption. 

"  Don't  mention, — don't  speak  of  it,"  again  interposed 
Wontus. 

He  had  seated  himself,  and,  with  an  effort  to  appear  calm 
3J 


350         *  wax  TVS,  or 

and  collected,  had  inserted  his  thumbs  into  the  tops  of  his 
trousers'  pockets,  and  was  engapred  in  playing  a  tattoo  with 
his  fingers  on  the  waistband  of  his  pantaloons. 

'^And  the  recollection  of  your  kindness  has  induced 
me •"  continued  the  lady. 

"  Please  forget  it;  we'll  both  forget  it,"  remarked  Wontus, 
nervously. 

"To  look  back,"  again  continued  the  lady,  "and " 

"  Back  f  almost  shouted  Wontus,  drawing  his  bands  from 
his  pockets.  He  was  growing  excited — why  or  wherefore  he 
could  not  tell.  "  Back  !  Let  us  look  forward — forward  !  I 
am  sorry,  too,  but  not  for  myself — no,  not  for  myself" 

The  lady  looked  at  him  for  a  moment,  and,  tben,  as  if  she 
feared  a  repetition  of  the  morning's  scene,  arose  to  her  feet, 
and  remarked : 

"  Mr.  Wontus,  I  find,  sir,  that  it  will  become  necessary  for 
me  to  leave  you " 

'•  Leave  meT'  gasped  Wontus,  a  tumult  of  thoughts  aggra- 
vating his  brain.  "  Your  note  !  Yes,  madam,  your  note  !" 
He  could  proceed  no  further. 

'•  ^Ij  note,  sir,"  continued  the  lady,  mildly,  "  had  no  refer- 
ence to  the  past,  except  insomuch  as  your  kindness  was  con- 
cerned. You  will  please  accept  my  thanks,  and  allow  me  to 
bid  you  adieu.  I  cannot  listen  to  you  more.  I  shall  always 
remember  you  with  feelings  of  the  highest  respect,  and  my 
constant  wish  wilj  be  for  your  well-being  and  happiness.  It 
will  be  useless  for  you  to  call  upon  me  again,  sir,  fur  I  leave 
for  Alabama — for  the  home  of  my  father — by  the  next  train. 
I  have  my  permit  to  cross  the  lines." 

During  the  remarks  of  the  lady  Wontus  had  sat  in  speech- 
less astonishment.  He  saw  that  he  had  made  a  mistake 
somewhere,  and  he  was  ready  to  sink  under  the  pressure  of 
shame  which  crowded  upon  him.  The  words  of  the  speaker 
had  found  a  place  in  his  head,  as  do  the  pictures  of  a  drciim. 
He  certainly  had  not  heard  them,  yet  they  were  there ;  not 
clear  and  distinct,  but  in  a  confused  mass,  in  which  his  own 
thoughts  and  conclusions  were  oddly  mixed.  His  whole  ac- 
quaintance, from  the  moment  he  first  saw  her  at  his  former 
lodging-s  to  the  present,  floated  mistily  before  him  ;  but  when 
she  spoke  of  returning  to  the  home  of  her  father,  his  hand  in- 
stinctively wandered  to  his  pocket,  and  drawing  a  newspaper 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  351 

tlierefrom,  he  hastily  ran  his  eyes  over  the  cokimns,  and  then 
waited  for  her  to  conclude. 

"Madam,"  he  cried,  as  the  lady  was  about  leaving  the 
room,  "  I — I  am  very,  most  deeply — it  was  purely  an  acci- 
dent ;  but  I  considered  it  my  dut}' — you  will  excuse  me — but 
— but  your  father " 

Tears  came  unbidden  to  his  eyes,  and  handing  the  lady  the 
paper,  he  pointed  to  the  paragraph  containing  the  news  of  her 
father's  death,  and  turned  away. 

There  was  a  certain  degree  of  studied  calmness  and  gen- 
tility about  Mrs.  Flick  at  all  times.  She  was  one  of  those 
peculiar  kind  of  people  who  can  do  the  most  unexpected 
things  so  very  naturally,  that  a  short  acquaintance  was  enough 
to  make  you  look  upon  her  as  being  something  above  the 
common  average  of  women.  This  was  her  education.  Un- 
derlying that,  like  the  shining,  valuable  gold  which  lies  hid- 
den amid  the  rocks  fiir  down  in  the  bowels  of  the  earth,  was 
her  nature.  We  know — I  mean  the  reader  and  myself  know 
— that  she  was  deeply  sensible,  and,  therefore,  thankful  to 
Mr.  Wontus  for  his  unasked — I  may  add,  unlooked  for — 
kindness.  It  is  also  probable  that  his  confession  of  love 
had  some  influence  upon  her,  for  the  heart  which  does  not 
appreciate  the  pure,  unselfish  love  of  a  fellow-being — ^be  he  or 
she  ever  so  humble — even  if  it  is  unreciprocated,  must,  in- 
deed, be  barren  and  hard. 

She  took  the  paper  from  our  hero's  hand,  and  the  muscles 
of  her  face  relaxed,  and  she  looked  less  annoyed.  Nearing  the 
window,  she  looked  at  the  paragraph  beneath  her  finger  and 
read  the  awful  news.  The  silence  was  unbroken  by  a  breath. 
The  delicate  peach-color  gradually  faded  from  her  checks,  and 
an  ashy  paleness  overspread  her  face.  The  paper  fell  from  her 
hands  to  the  floor,  and  her  large  eyes  wandered  with  a  vacant 
stare  about  the  room.  No  tears  came  up  to  soothe  and  mingle 
their  sympathies  with  the  overwhelming  grief  Her  lips  were 
closed,  dry,  and  bloodless  ;  she  stood  like  one  suddenly  stricken 
by  the  hand  of  Him  on  high,  and  Wontus  looked  on  in  awe. 
Silently  she  sank  to  her  knees  upon  the  floor ;  her  hands  were 
clasped  in  an  attitude  of  prayer,  and  her  eyes  were  turned 
heavenward.  Her  body  swayed  to  and  fro  for  a  moment,  and, 
but  for  the  loving  arm  of  him  that  she  would  have  sent  from 
her,  she  would  have  fallen  prostrate  on  the  floor.     She  had 


352  WOXTUS,  OR 

fliintecl,  and  now  lay  pillowed   on  the  breast  of  her  truest 
friend. 

Let  us  here  draw  the  veil,  and  proceed  with  the  next  chapter. 


CHAPTER   XXXIY. 

DISPOSES    OF    SOME  CHARACTERS,  AND    BEGINS    THE    END. 

Antietam's  fields  had  been  soaked  with  the  rich  blood  of 
thousands,  and  was  now  almost  forgotten,  save  by  those  who  suf- 
fered. Lee  had  taken  command  of  the  Army  of  Virginia,  and 
was  lying  behind  his  works  at  Fredericksburg,  while  McClellan 
was  treading  upon  the  treacherous  quicksands  of  politics.  The 
story  of  Pope's  retreat,  and  the  shame  of  Fitz  John  Porter, 
was  being  freshened  in  the  minds  of  the  people  by  inquiries 
concerning  the  conduct  of  the  war,  and  disaster  after  disaster 
followed,  with  nothing  to  brighten  the  gloom  save  an  occa- 
sional success  on  the  sea. 

Mr.  Nidd  was  pursuing  the  even  tenor  of  his  ways,  but  with 
a  sharp  eye  upon  his  old  friend  Wontus.  He  (Nidd)  had 
always  suspected  that  there  was  something  more  than  a  mere 
feeling  of  friendship  existing  between  AVontus  and  Mrs.  Flick, 
but  now  it  had  come  to  pass  that  Wontus  had  ceased  referring 
to  that  lady  in  any  way ;  and  yet  Nidd  knew  that  his  friend's 
absence  from  the  house  of  Mr,  Diddler  for  two  or  three  days 
at  a  time  was  to  be  accounted  for  by  his  presence  at  the  capi- 
tal. Of  course,  Nidd  knew  that  Wont  us  had  no  bills  of  any 
kind  whatever  to  put  before  Congress,  but  he  felt  that  our  hero 
had  a  suit  to  press  in  the  court  of  Cupid,  and.  with  a  delicacy 
usually  foreign  to  him.  he  respected  his  friend's  modesty,  and 
refrained  from  ever  giving  vent  to  his  knowledge  or  suspicions. 

Thomas  Thomson  was  improving  in  his  manners  and  gene- 
ral education.  His  travels,  although  moderate,  had  been  of 
great  service  to  him,  and  intercourse  with  men  and  things 
had  taught  him  that  a  corps  was  not  a  corpse,  although  he 
contended  on  all  occasions  when  reading  of  the  movements 
of  the  anny  that  a  coi-ps  was  a  corpse,  and  that  all  the  rules 


THE   CORPS  OF   OBSERVATION.  353 

of  orthoepy  could  not  alter  it.  A  corpse  was  a  corps  all  the 
world  over,  and  so  he  would  and  did  pronounce  it.  But  there 
were  some  things  which  had  been  developed  during  his  visit 
to  the  army  which  he  was  never  heard  to  refer  to.  He  knew 
that  Miss  Phillis  Offley  had  been  a  frequent  and  anxious  in- 
quirer at  the  house  of  Mr.  Diddler  during  his  absence,  and 
this  knowledge  so  increased  his  respect  for  that  young  woman 
that  his  eyes  never  met  hers  without  a  crimson  flush  coming 
to  his  cheek.  But  Phillis  Oftley  had  ceased  her  visits  now, 
and  Mr.  Diddler  was  no  longer  called  upon  to  answer  the 
question :  "  How  is  the  young  gentleman  what  has  gone  a 
sogerin'  ?"  The  young  gentleman  who  had  gone  a  soldiering 
was  on  the  spot,  and  his  frequent  appearance  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  a  certain  house  on  Third  Avenue  made  it  quite 
certain  that  if  he  had  the  privilege  of  deciding,  that  question 
would  never  been  asked  of  mortal  man  again.  Day  after  day 
they  gazed  into  each  other's  faces,  and  talked  of  things  which 
neither  thought  of  Such,  I  am  told,  is  the  custom  with 
bashful  lovers. 

With  the  man  as  well  as  the  master  Mr.  Nidd  was  in- 
terested, and  he  watched  the  progress  of  events  in  both  cases 
with  manifest  interest.  His  own  disappointments  did  not  seem 
to  inflict  a  very  deep  wound, — although  he  hated  now  a  cer- 
tain individual  more  than  ever, — and  the  lack  of  excitement 
in  his  business  was  balanced  by  the  friendly  feeling  he  com- 
menced to  experience  toward  the  members  of  the  old  corps  of 
observation.  He  was  as  austere  and  as  didactic  in  his  man- 
ners as  ever,  but  he  no  longer  endeavored  to  hide  the  good 
that  was  in  him,  but  let  it  come  to  the  surface  with  the  bad, 
— nature  was  playing  her  part  untrammeled.  Even  Wilkins 
had  been  forgiven,  and  as  Wontus  had  particularly  requested 
it,  a  correspondence  had  been  opened  with  that  gentleman. 
Aside,  however,  from  this  request  of  Mr.  Wontus,  Nidd  had 
some  curiosity  to  gratify.  He  had  always  argued  that  Wilkins 
was  born  to  be  hung,  and  that  he  might  verify  his  thoughts, 
he  continued  the  correspondence  with  great  regularity. 

Strange  as  the  statement  may  appear  when  we  come  to 
remember  the  feeling  between  these  gentlemen,  this  corre- 
spondence was  particularly  agreeable  to  Wilkins,  and  for  two 
reasons.  The  first,  and  probably  most  important,  was  that  it 
enabled  him  to  make  frequent  requisitions  on  his  correspoud- 

30* 


354  WOXTUS,  OR 

ent  for  snail  sums  of  money,  for  whicli  he  invarialjly  re- 
turned his  promissory  note,  drawn  up  in  the  most  scrupuious 
legal  form  ;  the  second  was,  because  it  gave  him  such  an  op- 
portunity as  was  not  to  be  neglected,  to  detail  the  particulars 
of  some  of  his  most  dashing  and  daring  exploits  without  fear 
of  contradiction.  Need  I  add  that  these  notes,  as  well  as  the 
letters,  fell  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Wontus  ?  Nidd  contended 
that  it  was  enough  for  him  to  write  the  letters,  and  therefore 
declined  being  compelled  to  pay  for  the  privilege. 

I  cannot  undertake  to  relate  here  the  incidents  and  adven- 
tures so  peculiarly  and  graphically  described  by  the  man  who 
experienced  theili.  They  were  numerous  and  without  a  par- 
allel, as  was  generally  the  case  with  everything  which  Benja- 
min Wilkins  recited.  That  he  should  be  the  confidential 
friend  and  adviser  of  most  of  the  prominent  generals  I  have 
only  to  refer  to  his  letters  to  prove ;  that  he  refused  numerous 
promotions  and  offices  of  great  honor  I  am  assured  from  the 
same  source.  I  feel  sorry  to  part  with  Benjamin,  and  yet,  as 
with  all  the  rest,  he  must  be  disposed  of  What  better  place 
can  I  leave  him  in  than  in  the  army  ?  Here  he  stands  alone, 
in  all  the  glory  with  which  he  has  surrounded  himself.  He 
has  become  the  master  of  a  wagon  and  six  mules ;  has  ac- 
cepted the  position  much  against  the  wishes  of  his  superiors, 
who  want  him  to  go  higher,  simply  because  here  he  can  make 
himself  most  useful.  He  grows  in  popularity  and  influence 
with  a  speed  never  before  equaled,  and  his  last  letter  hints 
strongly  at  his  soon  yielding  to  the  overtures  already  made, 
when,  in  case  he  does  yield,  he  becomes  the  commander  of  at 
least  a  brigade  of  the  army. 

l^Votc. — Benjamin  AVilkins  did  not  yield.] 

The  friendship  which  had  been  cultivated  under  such  sin- 
gular and  exciring  circumstances  between  Wontus  and  Lath- 
rop  Blakely  was  lasting  and  most  agreeable.  The  colonel  was 
colonel  no  longer.  A  star  graced  his  shoulder,  and  where 
bullets  flew  thickest  there  he  was  to  be  found.  He  was  the 
cheerful  volunteer  for  every  forlorn-hope,  and  although  Won- 
tus believed  that  his  telling  Blakely  of  his  (Wontus's)  afi'ec- 
tion  for  his  diU-iing  Kate  would  be  adding  sorrow  to  a  heart 
already  heavy,  yet  his  sense  of  honor  would  not  permit  him  to 
withhold  it.  The  letter  which  he  received  from  the  colonel 
in  return  was  laden  with  the  kin.  lest  wis  cs  for  his  correspond- 


THE   CORPS   OF   OSSEEYATION.  355 

ent's  happiness  in  the  future,  but  lie  declined,  most  positively, 
to  be  present  on  the  one  particular  day  in  the  near  future  at 
which  time  Mr.  Wontus  declared  he  would  cease  to  live  for  no- 
thing. His  duty  was  with  the  ai-my ;  there  he  would  remain. 
Those  who  were  about  him  said  that  his  every-day  life  was 
an  enigma  to  his  friends ;  he  lived,  as  it  were,  in  a  dream. 
Occasionally  his  inborn  nature — that  nameless  spirit  which 
He  has  placed  in  every  human  breast — would  come  to  the  sur- 
face, only  to  be  throttled  and  thrown  back  into  the  deep  gloom 
of  a  disappointed  heart.  Courteous  and  kind  at  all  times,  there 
was  an  air  about  him  which  forbade  inquiry,  and  his  secrets 
of  the  past  were  hidden  from  the  gaze  of  a  curious  world. 

As  we  already  know,  Edward  Pason  Montcalm  Higginson 
was  ever  a  feature  in  the  mind  of  Gascon  Nidd.  From  the 
very  moment  in  which  he  first  laid  eyes  on  that  gentleman,  he 
seemed  to  take  an  unconquerable  dislike  to  him,  and  the  dif- 
ferent accidents  which  threw  them  together  in  later  days 
added  no  panacea  to  the  cancerous  sore.  It  is  not  known  that 
Mr.  Higginson  ever  cared  a  snap  of  his  finger  for  Mr.  Nidd 
or  his  dislike ;  but  this  could  not  be  said  of  Nidd,  for  in  a 
letter  which  that  gentleman  (Nidd)  wrote  to  a  mutual  friend 
on  his  return  from  the  army  the  following  is  found : 

"  Edward  Pason  Montcalm  Higginson,  otherwise  '  Scri- 
bendi,'  was  such  a  man  as  can  be  seen  in  the  political  arena 
every  day.  With  a  fine  appearance,  and  a  nature  which  bid 
him  seek  credit  for  all  that  is  good,  he  visited  the  army  be- 
cause he  needed  the  knowledge  and  the  evidence  of  men  to 
forward  his  ambitious,  selfish  purposes.  Cringing  and  circum- 
spect in  the  presence  of  those  whose  stations  in  life  he  believed 
made  them  his  superiors ;  clownish  and  forcibly  gay  in  the 
presence  of  those  by  whom  he  was  occasionally  acknowledged 
as  an  ec|ual ;  boorish,  and  like  the  master  of  a  dog,  who  kicks 
or  fondles  with  his  animal  as  circumstances  or  his  passions 
dictate,  he  found  it  necessary  at  times  to  mingle  with  a  class 
which  he  judged  to  be  his  inferiors  {iclio  makes  one  Uian  the 
judge  of  his  neighbor?),  and  thus  occasionally  found  himself 
in  tile  company  of  those  who,  when  the  rich  and  powerful 
passed  him,  made  him  blush  for  his  associations. 

"  He,  like  the  rest  of  us,  has  returned,  and  his  arrival  has  been 
blazoned  in  the  columns  of  the  newspapers,  and  his  deeds  of 


35 G  WOXTUS,  OR 

bravery  and  hardiliocJ  arc  only  excelled  by  those  of  the  greatest 
living  fabricator,  Benjamin  Wilkins.  He  speaks  of  the  great 
men  he  has  met,  and  details  his  conversation  with  them,  with 
an  exactness  painful  to  listen  to.  With  him,  like  the  followers 
of  Hamlet,  clouds  very  like  a  whale  vanished  into  thin  air,  or 
assume  another  shape  at  a  word  from  wealth  or  power.  His 
humbleness  and  impudence  is  Heep-like,  and  he  knows  well 
where  to  use  either  commodity  to  the  best  advantage." 

In  vain  Mr.  Wontus  endeavored  to  induce  Xidd  to  forget 
that  such  a  man  as  '•  Scribendi "  ever  lived.  Nidd  was  changed 
and  softened  in  many  respects,  but  concerning  the  individual 
who  had  been  more  fortunate  than  himself, — for  a  woman  was 
at  the  bottom  of  it  after  all, — he  knew  no  change,  no  mercy ; 
nothing:  but  hatred  old  and  bitter. 


CHAPTER    XXXV. 

MAKES   WONTUS    HAPPY    AND    ENDS    THE    BOOK. 

The  time  has  at  length  arrived  when  I  must  bid  adieu  to 
the  friends  who  have  been  before  me  so  many  weeks,  and  whose 
forms  I  have  so  many  times  during  those  weeks  wished  to 
banish  from  my  presence  forever.  But  now  that  the  hour  is 
at  hand  when  I  must  say  good-by,  I  find  in  my  heart  a  desire 
to  linger  with  them  just  a  little  while  longer.  Even  the  yel- 
lowish paper  which  lies  on  my  table,  filled  with  the  angular 
charactei-s  which  have  had  so  much  to  do  with  the  creation  of 
the  men  and  women  of  the  story,  has  become  a  flimiliar  object 
for  me  to  gaze  upon,  and  habit  has  taught  me  to  look  for  it. 
But  the  spot  will  soon  be  vacant  now,  for  the  end  is  near. 

Time  had  altered  Mr.  Wontus  in  more  ways  than  one.  He 
was  graver  and  more  sedate  than  formerly.  He  was  braver, 
too,  and  more  self-reliant.  Something  had  changed  him.  True, 
his  associates  found  him  much  the  same  as  before,  yet  his  tast<?s 
were  different,-  and  even  Xidd,  his  particular  friend  and  com- 
panion, found  it  impossible  to  drag  him  from  the  voluntary 
seclusion  which  he  now  seemed  to  enjoy  so  much. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERYATIOX.  357 

"Wasliington,  once  so  distjistefiil  and  distressing  to  liim,  had 
undergone  a  strange  metamorphosis  in  a  few  short  montlis. 
It  was  now  a  charming  pUice,  and  its  magical  influences  were 
so  strong  that  our  hero  was  never  more  higlily  pleased  and 
better  satisfied  than  when  alighting  from  the  cars  of  that  soli- 
tary railroad  leading  into  the  capital.  He  acknowledged  this,  and 
spoke  by  experience.  His  Sundays,  and  frequently  other  days, 
were  regularly  spent  there,  and  had  been  for  some  time.  He 
had  come  to  think  that  he  had  something  to  live  for. 

When  we  last  saw  him,  he  had  just  communicated  to  Mrs. 
Flick  the  news  of  her  father's  death,  and  she  had  swooned  away 
in  his  arms.  As  the  couple  looked  at  that  moment,  it  was 
questionable  which  of  them  was  entitled  to  the  most  sympathy. 
The  face  of  the  lady  as  she  lay  upon  his  shoulder  was  white, 
and  as  rigid  as  marble ;  the  face  of  the  gentleman  was  exceed- 
ingly red,  and  his  whole  form  trembled  with  emotion.  Afraid 
to  call  for  help,  lest  his  position  might  be  misunderstood,  and 
never  having  been  placed  in  such  a  position  before,  his  corpulent 
body  swayed  to  and  fro  like  a  drunken  man,  and  he  felt  that 
the  moment  was  drawing  near  when  he  would  certainly  faint 
himself.  But  that  moment  did  not  come.  Slowly  his  charge 
opened  her  eyes  and  gazed  about  her,  and  then  extended  her 
hand  toward  a  chair.  Mr.  Wontus  understood  the  movement, 
and  tenderly  seating  the  lady,  drew  the  table  in  front  of  her,  and 
then  looked  as  if  he  would  like  to  do  something  else  for  her 
relief,  without  knowing  how  or  where  to  commence.  It  was 
a  very  painful  sight,  was  this  sorrowing  woman  for  Mr.  Wontus 
to  look  upon,  and  he  felt  very  awkward  indeed  as  he  walked 
around  the  room  endeavoring  to  find  something  upon  which  he 
might  rivet  his  attention  until  such  time  as  it  would  be  proper 
for  him  to  speak.  He  at  length  reached  the  window,  and  was 
standing  there  looking  into  the  street,  with  his  thoughts  a  con- 
fused mass  which  he  found  impossible  to  untangle,  when  his 
attention  was  attracted  by  a  movement  of  the  lady.  As  he 
turned  toward  her,  he  noticed  that  she  had  regained  consider- 
ably her  usual  composure,  and  with  tear-wet  eyes  was  gazing 
abstractedly  upon  the  floor. 

"  x\ll  gone  !"  she  moaned.  "  Whither  shall  I  turn  ?  What 
shall  I  do?"  Her  head  bent  forward  as  she  spoke,  and  her 
voice  was  low  and  pleading. 

At  this  moment  our  hero  could  bear  anything  better  than 


358  wax  TVS,  or 

silence.  "  Madnru,"  vSaid  he,  his  voice  low  and  tremulous 
with  emotion,  ''  please  consider  me  your  protector.  I  have  no 
desire  to  be  more  than  a  father — no,  not  exactly  a  father — to 
3'ou,  and  I  sympathize  with  j^ou  most  deeply.  I  love — I  would 
love "     He  could  say  no  more. 

It  was  a  long  while  ere  either  spoke  again  ;  but  when  the 
silence  was  broken,  the  lady  spoke  in  her  slow,  sad  way  :  "  My 
best,  nay,  my  dearest  friend,  I  owe  you  much. — much  more 
than  I  can  speak.  To  whom  in  this  hour  of  my  greatest  grief 
can  I  turn  for  that  sympatliy  and  that  succor  which  I  so  sadly 
need  ?  Where  are  my  friends  ?  To  whom  shall  I  look  for  a 
word  of  counsel?"'  As  she  finished  speaking  she  turned  her 
expressive  eyes  upon  "Wontus,  and  in  a  moment  more  that  gen- 
tleman was  swearing  eternal  fidelity  at  her  knees.  She  should 
come  to  him,  he  would  be  her  protector,  and  a  father  to  her 
child.     The  curtain  falls. 

That  evening  Mr.  \Yontus  returned  to  his  hotel  without 
knowing  whether  he  had  walked  or  flown.  His  offer  had  been 
accepted,  and  the  widow  and  her  child  were  his  to  protect  and 
defend  until  some  one  with  a  better  right  should  take  his  place. 
This  accounted  for  his  frequent  visits  to  Washington  after  he 
had  returned  to  New  York ;  and  this  accounted  for  the  many 
changes  in  his  disposition  and  mode  of  life.  At  first  he  had 
looked  upon  himself  as  simply  the  guardian  of  the  woman  he 
loved,  but  as  he  became  a  more  frequent  visitor  his  old  ideas 
returned.  He  pressed  his  suit  delicately  at  first,  and  was  met 
with  a  mild  rebuff,  which  only  added  stimulant  to  his  passion  ; 
and  ere  the  fall  had  settled  into  winter  he  was  the  affianced 
husband  of  the  only  woman  he  had  ever  had  the  courage  to 
propose  to.  He  informed  Xidd  of  his  engagement,  and  re- 
quested that  gentleman's  assistance.     He  should  have  it. 


It  was  January.  The  ides  of  the  month  had  come,  and  the 
snow  stood  on  the  house-tops  like  icing  on  a  wedding-cake ; 
it  glistened  in  the  morning  sun  like  burnished  silver,  and  the 
air  was  keen  and  searching.  It  was  the  crowning  day  of 
Wontus's  life;  it  was  his  wedding-day.  and  he  felt  the  respon- 
sibilities of  his  situation.  All  the  preparations  had  been  m;.de. 
Phillis  Offley  had  become  a  part  of  his  household,  and  certainly 
no  more  careful  and  dutiful  servant  could  have  been  selected. 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  359 

"For  the  last  time  Wontus  looked  upon  himself  as  a  bachelor  ; 
henceforth  he  was  to  wear  the  chains  of  a  benedict,  and  he 
was  wondering  what  the  future  had  in  store  for  him. 

Yesterday  he  had  bid  adieu  to  Mr.  Diddler  and  his  interest- 
ing family,  and  now  he  stood  in  his  own  house  on  Lexington 
Avenue,  and  gazed  out  of  the  window  and  worked  nervously 
at  the  white  kid  gloves  which  the  dictates  of  fashion  com- 
pelled him  to  wear  on  this  most  important  occasion.  Bright, 
cheerful  fires  threw  their  ruddy  glare  on  the  window-panes  of 
the  newly  and  neatly-furnished  house,  and  the  merry  jingle  of 
the  passing  sleighs  came  to  his  heart  like  the  glad  tidings  of  a 
rejuvenated  life,  and  that  told  him  that  others  were  as  happy  as 
himself. 

Two  hours  were  yet  wanting  ere  the  important  moment  was 
at  hand,  and  Wontus  wished  that  it  was  either  further  oif  or 
over;  and  he  wandered  from  room  to  room  with  alternate 
shades  of  joy  and  sadness  overspreading  his  face.  For  the 
hundredth  time  he  had  questioned  Miss  Offley  concerning  the 
wardrobes  and  other  fixtures  of  the  chambers,  and  Thomas 
Thomson  had  made  himself  tired  in  following  his  master  about 
and  replacing  the  articles  of  furniture  which  Wontus  in  his 
nervous  excitement  was  constantly  displacing. 

I  have  always  thought  that  Mr.  Wontus's  love  was  more  the 
result  of  accident  than  design.  That  he  did  love,  and  love 
most  earnestly,  certainly  none  can  question.  But  I  have  al- 
ways thought  that  had  any  other  woman  been  thrown  in  his 
way  the  result  would  have  been  all  the  same.  His  nature  was 
all  love,  and  his  sympathies  went  out  to  every  human  being  iu 
distress.  A  veneration  for  woman,  so  high  as  to  be  almost 
verging  on  the  unnatural,  had  kept  him  a  single  man  thus  far, 
and  now  his  mind  was  so  laden  with  the  prospects  of  the  new 
life  which  his  imagination  spread  before  him  that  he  seemed 
to  exist  in  that  sphere  generally  assigned  to  Mahomet's  coffin. 
He  had  no  fears  for  anything  but  himself,  and  the  question 
which  he  asked  himself  many  times  was  whether  he  was  worthy. 

I  have  often  wondered  how  it  was  that  no  question  of  her 
love  for  him  ever  appeared  to  enter  his  mind.  He  loved,  and 
that  was  all  he  cared  for.  If  she  did  not  love  in  return,  he 
would  ask  her  to  respect  him,  and  for  this  he  would  dedicate 
his  life  to  her.  This  was  his  mental  resolve  as  he  paced  the 
floor  and  awaited  the  all-important  moment. 


3G0  WOXTCS,  OR 

The  bride  had  arrived  the  evening  before  in  charge  of  Mr. 
Nidd,  and  was  now  at  the  St.  Nicholas ;  the  arrangements  for 
the  wedding  had  all  been  made  by  the  same  gentleman,  and 
the  preliminaries  were  disposed  of  with  combined  legal  and 
military  exactness.  There  was  no  unnecessai-y,  and  hence 
foolish,  expenditure  of  money  ;  nor  was  there  any  ostentatious 
show.  Everything  which  Nidd  did  was  after  the  same  style 
in  which  the  gentleman  had  taught  himself  to  live,  and  al- 
though Wontus  occasionally  complained  at  the  want  of  style, 
he  was  invariably  silenced  with  the  remark  that  he  (Xidd) 
had  been  there,  and  knew  that  the  money  saved  could  be 
mad  of  far  greater  and  better  use  in  some  other  direction. 
They  might  want  bread  some  time. 

Mr.  Diddler,  his  family,  and  a  few  particular  personal 
friends,  were  all  that  were  invited  to  witness  the  ceremony, 
and  at  two  o'clock  p.m.  Olympus  Wontus,  with  his  wife  on 
his  arm,  walked  into  the  house  on  Lexington  Avenue,  fol- 
lowed by  Mr.  Nidd,  with  Diddler's  daughter,  '•  Sis,"  Thomas 
Thomson,  and  Phillis  Offley.  The  bride  was  attired  in  a 
dress  of  sombre  hues,  and  her  face  was  pale  and  thin,  but  as 
she  entered  the  parlor  her  eyes  beamed  with  a  look  of  sub- 
dued happiness,  and  ere  Mr.  Wontus  was  aware  of  it  she  had 
pillowed  her  head  upon  his  heart.  The  storm  was  over,  and 
the  ship  was  in  the  harbor  of  safety. 

*'  Should'st  thoix  live  but  once  love's  sweets  to  prove, 
Thou  wilt  not  love  to  live,  unless  thou  live  to  love." 

It  was  a  part  of  Mr.  Wontus's  agreement  with  himself,  that 
under  no  circumstances  woiild  he  ever  refer  to  the  past  history 
of  his  wife.  He  knew  many  things- concerning  her  which  he 
had  learned  from  his  friend  Blakely,  but  he  felt  that  she 
would  be  happier  if  she  did  not  know  that  he  knew  of  them ; 
and  the  days  that  were  passing,  although  sometimes  cold  and 
cheerless  without,  were  always  bright  and  happy  within. 
Sometimes  he  saw  shades  of  sadness  steal  over  his  wife's 
countenance  as  they  read  of  the  movements  of  the  two  oppos- 
ing armies,  but  he  knew  that  that  was  but  natural,  and  as 
each  was  content  to  live  for  the  other,  matters  of  oiDinion  were 
never  permitted  to  disturb  the  serene  happiness  of  their  lives  ; 
and  thus  time  flew  by,  and  Mr.  Wontus  blessed  the  day  on 
which  he  had  organized  the  Corps  of  Observation. 


THE  CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  ^Qi 

Among  the  most  regular  visitors  whom  Wontus  could  boast 
of  was  Gascon  Nidd.  He  had  come  to  be  very  fond  of  Mrs. 
Wontus  and  the  little  one,  and  occasionally  referred  to  what 
might  have  been  had  he  had  fair  play.  On  these  occasions 
Mr.  Wontus  would  laugh,  and  repeat  what  he  had  often  said 
before :  that  it  was  never  too  late  to  mend. 

It  was  evening  when  Mr.  Nidd  unceremoniously  rushed  in 
upon  the  privacy  of  the  newly-married  couple.  He  made  no 
apologies ;  he  attempted  no  excuse.  His  face  wore  an  expres- 
sion unusual  of  late,  and  was  painfully  savage.  It  was  only 
after  he  had  drawn  a  newspaper  from  his  pocket  and  shook 
out  its  rustling  folds  that  he  deigned  to  speak. 
^"  Wontus,"  said  he,  and  he  clinched  his  lips  as  he  spoke, 
"I  have  a  Philadelphia  paper  here.  As  it  contains  something 
of  interest  to  you,  your  good  lady  will  probably  allow  me  to 
read  it."  Mr.  Nidd  might  have  left  the  latter  part  of  his 
speech  unspoken,  for  before  either  Wontus  or  his  "  good  lady" 
had  an  opportunity  to  reply,  the  conveyancer  cleared  his 
throat  with  an  effort,  and,  stepping  up  to  the  light,  read  the 
following,  which  he  declared  had  the  merit  of  having  been 
written  by  the  recipient  of  the  honors  : 

"  We  congratulate  the  President,  the  army,  and  our  citizens 
generally,  over  the  fact  that  our  esteemed  and  distinguished 
fellow-citizen.  Colonel  Edward  Pason  Montcalm  Higginson, 
has  received  the  unsolicited  [remarks  of  a  violent  character 
from  the  reader]  appointment  of  minister  to  one  of  the  most 
powerful  nations  of  the  world.  Mr.  Higginson  is  a  gentleman 
of  fine  abilities  [continuation  of  remarks],  and  although  not  a 
journalist  by  profession,  has  contributed  many  most  entertain- 
ing and  valuable  articles  to  the  columns  of  the  different  jour- 
nals of  this  and  other  cities.  He  has  but  recently  returned 
from  the  sanguinary  battle-fields  [more  remarks]  of  the  Penin- 
sula and  elsewhere,  and  carries  with  him  not  only  the  respect 
of  the  generals  with  whom  he  served,  but  many  scars  received 
in  honorable  conflict.  His  services  to  the  country  have  been 
most  valuable  [cutting  sarcasm  by  the  reader],  and  it  is  with 
peculiar  pleasure  that  we  congratulate  him,  personally,  on  the 
further  sacrifice  [complicated  words  of  advice  and  extended 
remarks  on  sacrifices]  which  he  feels  it  his  duty  to  make. 
He  leaves  for  his  new  field  of  labor  in  a  few  days,  accompa- 
nied by  his  charming  wife,  and  carries  with  him  the  hearty 
Q  31 


362  WOXTUS,  OR 

good  wishes  and  most  profound  confidence  of  the  government 
and  a  host  of  loving  friends." 

"  There  !"  cried  Nidd,  throwing  the  papers  upon  the  floor, 
and  speaking  with  a  vehemence  customary  under  such  circum- 
stances, "  there's  a  man  who  has  nothing  to  recommend  him 
but  his  fliwning  impudence,  appointed  to  a  lucrative  ofl&ce, 
while  deserving"  maimed  men,  who  served  their  country  out 
of  a  pure  and  unselfish  patriotic  love,  are  left  to  fight  poverty 
and  distress  unaided,  except  by  the  hand  of  charity,  while  this 
fellow  is  crowned  with  honors  and  lives  in  elegance  and  ease. 

"  I  know  him, — we  know  him,''  he  continued,  after  a  brief 
pause,  and  addressing  himself  to  Wontus,  as  though  he  ex- 
pected that  gentleman  to  back  up  his  assertion,  "don't  we? 
He  wears  the^  graces  of  Apollo,  the  beard  of  Hercules,  and  the 
frowns  of  Mars ;  but  has,  as  Shakspeare  says,  '  a  liver  white  as 
milk.' "  (Another  pause,  during  which  Mr.  Wontus  endeavored 
to  turn  the  conversation  into  a  more  pleasing  and  less  abusive 
channel.)  "  Great  heavens !"  continued  Nidd,  his  manner 
evincing  intense  disgust,  "  this  should  not  be.  I  know  that 
that  man  (he  pointed  in  the  direction  in  which  Washington 
was  supposed  to  lie)  has  been  deceived."' 

At  this  juncture  Mrs.  Wontus  came  to  her  husband's  aid, 
and  with  a  woman's  tact  seized  upon  the  suggestive  pointing 
of  Nidd,  to  dilate  at  considerable  length  upon  the  many  kind 
actions  of  Mr.  Lincoln.  She  would  suffer  no  interruption,  and 
thus  Edward  Pason  Montcalm  Higginson  was  permitted  to 
enjoy  his  honors  and  his  journey  in  peace.  Mr.  Nidd  had  no 
words  for  any  other  subject,  and  ere  the  hour  of  ten  had  ar- 
rived he  could  have  been  found  in  his  lonely  lodgings,  deep  in 
cogitations  over  the  cunning  and  deceit  of  people  of  both  sexes. 

When  the  gentle  zephyrs  of  summer  were  waving  the  green, 
fresh  grass  in  the  park,  it  was  no  unusual  sight  to  see  Mr. 
Wontus,  but  a  few  short  months  before  a  bachelor,  leading  a 
handsome  little  boy  along  the  gravelly  walks,  and  listening  to 
his  childlike  prattle  with  all  the  fondness  of  a  loving  parent. 
Both  Wontus  and  the  child  looked  happy.  The  kind  nature 
of  the  man  had  won  the  child's  affection,  and  he  claimed  Mr. 
Wontus  as  his  fiither. 

If  you  asked  the  boy  his  name,  he  would  tell  you  in  a  bold, 
defiant  way,  that  it  was  Lee  Wigfall  Wontus.     If  you  went 


THE   CORPS   OF   OBSERVATION.  363 

further  and  asked  him  which  side  of  the  great  struggle  he 
favored,  he  would  tell  you  that  he  loved  the  old  flag,  with  its 
pretty  stripes  and  stars, — that  he  was  a  Union  man  and  a 
Yankee. 

On  these  occasions  Mr.  Wontus  would  laugh  most  heartily,  and 
if  you  questioned  Mm  concerning  the  truth  of  the  child's  as- 
sertion, he  would  refer  you  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Thomson, 
who  presided  over  certain  departments  in  the  house  on  Lex- 
ington Avenue,  and  who,  he  declared,  knew  as  much  about  his 
affairs  as  he  did  himself. 


THE   END. 


Popular  Works 


PUBLISHED    BY 


J.  B.  LiPPINCOTT  &  Co. 

PHILADELPHIA. 


Will  be  sent  by  mail,  postpaid,  on  receipt  of  the  price. 


Gideon's  Rock.  A  Novel.  By  Katherine  Sauti" 
ders,  author  of  "  The  High  Mills,"  etc.  With  a  Frontis- 
piece.    i6mo.     Extra  cloth.     $i. 

"A  simple,  touching  story,  that  goes  I      "  It    ia   a  masterpiece."  —  London 
straight  to  the  heart  of  the  reader." —     Times. 
Philadelphia  Evening  Bulletin.  \ 

The  High  Mills.     A  Novel.     By  Katherine  Saun- 

ders,  author  of  •*  Gideon's  Rock."     Illustrated.     8vo.     Pa- 
per.    75  cents.     Extra  cloth.     $1.25. 


"  In  all  the  portraiture,  description, 
dialogue  and  incia<,..t  of  the  book 
there  is  a  fresh  originality,  a  vivid  dra- 
matic power,  a  knowledge  of  the  mys- 
tery of  life,  that  few  possess.  Here  is 
a  writer  who  will  be,  perhaps,  as  great 


as  George  YXxoV—New  York  Even- 
ing  Mail. 

"  In  many  respects  one  of  the  best 
and  most  powerful  works  of  fiction  that 
have  been  lately  issued."  —  Boston 
Journal. 


Hester  Kirton.     A  Novel.     By  Katherine  S.  Mac- 

Quoid,     author    of    "  Rookstone,"    «*  A    Bad    Beginning," 

"  Chesferford,"  etc.     A  new  edition.     i6mo.     Ornamented 

cloth.     $1  25. 

"  It  is  altogether  one  of  the  best  I  "  By  far  one  of  the  best  novels  that 
publications  of  the  day." — Philadel-  have  been  sent  to  us  this  seasou."— 
phia  Age.  \  New  Orleans  Times. 

Rookstone.      A  Novel.      By   Katherine   S.   Mac- 

Quoid,  author  of  *'  Forgotten  by  the  World,"  "  Hester  Kir- 
ton," "  Patty,"  etc.  Illustrated.  8vo.  Paper  cover.  75 
cents.     Extra  cloth.     5 1-25. 

"Well  constructed  and  clearly  told.  I  "It  is  admirably  written  and  excel- 
We  recommend  it  to  novel  readers." —  lent  in  tone."— iWw  York  Evening 
Philadelphia  Press.  \  Mail 


PUBLICATIOXS  OF  J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  ^  CO. 


Secd-Tinie  and  Harocst ;  or,  During  my  Appren- 

ticeship.      From  the  Piatt- Deutsch  of  P^itz  Renter.      8vo. 
Paper  cover,    ^i       Fxtra  cloth.     $1.50. 


No  German  autlior  of  '.ne  present 
time  is  more  popu'ar  in  his  own  coun- 
try th^n  Reuter.  rie  is  pronounced 
by  a  competent  German  critic  to  be 
deservedly  "  the  most  popular  German 
writer  of  the  last  half  centur>'." 

Reuter  is  especially  noted  as  the 
rare  htanorist,  the  zenuine  poet  mid 
the fnscinatirig  delineator  of  the  lives 
of  his  Piatt- Derttsch  neighbors,  and 
as  such  is  probably  more  beloved  than 
any  other  German  author  of  the  day. 
The  tale  in  question  is  one  of  his  best 
and  most  important  works,  giving  its 
readers,  with  its  other  entertainment 
and  profit  a  charming  acquaintance 
with  the  quaint,  interesting  Plati- 
Deutsch  people. 

"  Fritz  Reuter  is  one  of  the  most 


popular  ^^Titers  in  Germany.  .  .  .  The 
charm  of  his  stories  lies  in  their  sim- 
plicity and  exquisite  truth  to  Nature. 
He  has  '  the  loving  heart'  which  Car- 
lyle  tells  us  is  the  secret  of  writing ; 
and  Reuter  is  not  graphic  merely,  he 
is  photographic.  His  characters  im- 
press one  so  forcibly  with  their  reality 
that  one  need  not  to  be  told  they  are 
portraits  from  life.  Even  the  villains 
must  have  been  old  acquaintances.  .  .  . 
It  (■  During  my  Apprenticeship  )  is  one 
of  the  best  of  Reuters  stories,  exhibit- 
ing his  turn  for  the  pathetic  as  well  as 
for  the  humorous.' — Ne'w  York  Eve- 
ning Post. 

"  It  has  a  freshness  and  novelty  that 
are  rare  in  these  times." — Philadel- 
phia Evening  Bitlletin. 


The  Sylvestres  ;  or,  The  Outcasts.     A  Novel. 
M.    DE    Betham-Edwards,    author    of    "  Kitty," 
Jacob,"  etc.     Illustrated.    8vo.     Paper.     75  cents, 
cloth.     $1.25. 

"  It  is  an  exceptionally  vigorous  and 
healthy  as  well  as  happy  tale." — Phil- 
adelphia North  A  >nerican. 

"  It  is  one  of  the  author's  best." — 
Neiv  York  Home  Journal. 

"A  capital  novel." — Pittsburg  Ga- 
zette. 


By 

"Dr. 

Extra 


"The  storj' is  well  constructed,  and 
the  descriptive  passages  with  which 
the  work  abounds  are  worthy  of  the 
highest  praise.  The  sketches  of  scen- 
ery are  painted  with  the  touch  of  an 
iitisi."— Philadelphia  Ev.  Bulletin. 


Myself.      A    Romance    of   Nezv 

l2mo.     Extra  cloth.     $2. 


England 


Life. 


and   the   plot  quite  unhackneyed' 
Boston  Courier, 


"  This  is  really  a  capital  story.  The 
characters  are  drawn  with  a  free  and 
sharp  pen,  the  style  is  fresh  and  lively 

H^cu  will  it  End?     A  Romance.     By  J.  C.  Hey- 

wood,    author   of  "  Herodias,"    "  Antonius,"   etc.      i2mo. 

Extra  cloth.     $1.50. 

•'It   is  a  fascinating  novel,   which  I  that  should  be  ^s-idely  read."— Wtiiwi'j 
must  exert  a  good  influence,  and  one  I  Spirit  0/  the  Time's. 

Doings  in  Maryland ;  or,  Matilda  Douglas. 
"Truth  STRANGER  THAN  Fiction."  i2mo.  Extra  cloth. 
S1.75.        • 

It  is  a  ver\'  perfect  stor^' — simple,  '  best  attainable  definition  of  the  sensa- 
Doble  and  without  that  straining  tor  1  tionaL" — New  York  Home  JouTmaL 
literary   effect  which    constitutes   the  i 


PUBLICATIONS  OF  J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  &-  CO. 


Dorothy  Fox.     A  novel. 

of  "  How  it  all  Happened 

tions.     8vo.     Paper  cover. 

"  The  Quaker  character,  though  its 
quaintness  and  simplicity  may  seem 
easy  enough  to  catch,  requires  a  deli- 
cate workman  to  do  it  justice.  Such 
an  artist  is  the  author  of  '  Dorothy 
Fox,'  and  we  must  thank  her  for  a 
charming  novel.  The  story  is  dramat- 
ically interesting,  and  the  characters 
are  drawn  with  a  firm  and  graceful 
hand.  The  style  is  fresh  and  natural, 
vigorous  without  vulgarity,  simple 
without  mawkishness.  Dorothy  her- 
self is  represented  as  charming    all 


By  Louisa  Parr,  author 

"  etc.     With  numerous  Illustra- 

75  cents.     Extra  cloth,    ^1.25. 

hearts,  and  she  will  charm  all  read- 
ers. .  .  We  wish  '  Dorotliy  Fox'  many 
editions  "' — London  Tunes. 

"  One  of  the  best  novels  of  the  sea- 
son."— Philadelphia  Press. 

"  The  characters  are  brought  out  in 
life-like  style,  and  cannot  fail  to  attract 
the  closest  attention." — Pittsburg  Go.' 
zette. 

"  It  is  admirably  told,  and  will  estab- 
lish the  reputation  of  the  author  among 
novelists. ' ' — A  Ibany  A  rgus. 


How  it  all  Happened.     By  Louisa  Parr,  author  of 

"  Dorothy  Fox,"  etc,     i2mo.     Paper  cover,      25  cents. 

"  It  is  not  often  that  one  finds  so 
much  pleasure  in  reading  a  love  story, 
charmingly  told  in  a  few  pages." — 
Charleston  Courier. 

"  Is  a  well-written  little  love  story, 


in  which  a  great  deal  is  said  in  a  very 
few  vioxds." —Philadelphia  Evening 
Telegraph. 

"  A  remarkably  clever  story." — BoS' 
ton  Saturday  Evening  Gazette. 


yohn  Thompson,  Blockhead,  and  Companion  Por- 
traits.  By  Louisa  Parr,  author  of  "  Dorothy  Fox." 
i2rao.     With  Frontispiece.     Extra  cloth,     ^1.75. 


"  Extremely  well-told  stories,  inter- 
esting in  characters  and  incidents,  and 
pure  and  wholesome  in  sentiment." — 
Boston  Watchman  and  Reflector. 

"  These  are  racy  sketches,  and  be- 
long to  that  delightful  class  in  which 
the  end  comes  before  the  reader  is 
ready  for  it. 

"  The  style  throughout  is  very  sim- 


ple and  fresh,  abounding  in  strong, 
vivid,  idiomatic  English." — Home 
jfournal. 

"They  are  quite  brilliant  narrative 
sketches,  worthy  of  the  reputation  es- 
tablished by  the  writer." — Philadel' 
phia  Itiqtiirer. 

"  Very  presentable,  very  readable." 
— New  York  Times. 


The  Quiet  Miss  Godolphin,  by  Ruth  Garrett;  and 

A  CHANCE  CHILD,  by  Edward  Garrett,  joint  authors 

of  "  Occupations  of  a  Retired  Life"  and  "White  as  Snow," 

With  Six   Illustrations  by  Townley  Green.     i6mo.     Cloth. 

75  cents.     Paper  cover,     50  cents. 

"  These  stories  are  characterized  by  I  influence  will  not  fail  to  improve  and 
great  strength  and  beauty  of  thought,     delight." — Philadelphia  Age. 
with  a  singularly  attractive  style.  Their  | 

St.    Cecilia.      A    Modern     Tale  froin   Real    Life, 
Part  I. — Adversity.     i2mo.     Extra  cloth.     ^1.50. 

"  It  is  carefully  and  beautifully  writ-     commend   as  fresh,    entertaining   and 
ten." — Washington  Chronicle.  well     written." — Louisville     Courier 

"A  tale  that  we  can  cheerfully  re-     Journal. 


PUBLICATIONS  OF  J.  £.  LIPPIXCOTT  6    CO. 


**  It  is  the  Fashion y     A  Novel.     From  the  German 

of  Adelheid  von  Auer.  By  the  translator  of  "  Over  Yon- 
der," "Magdalena,"  "The  Old  Countess,"  etc.  i2mo. 
Fine  cloth.     $1.50. 


"  It  is  one  of  the  most  charming 
books  of  the  times,  and  is  admirable 
for  its  practical,  wise  and  beautiful 
morality.  A  more  natural  and  grace- 
ful work  of  its  kind  we  never  before 
read.'' — Richtnotid  Dispatch. 

"Tliis  is  a  charming  novel;  to  be 
commended  not  only  for  the  interest 
of  the  story,  but  for  the  fine  healthy 
tone  that  pervades  it.  .  .  .  This  work 
has  not  the  excessive  elaboration  of 

Dead  Men's  Shoes.     A  Novel.     By  J.  R.  Hader- 

mann,  author  of  "Forgiven  at  Last."     121110.     Fine  cloth. 
$2. 

"  One  of  the  best  novels  of  the  sea- 
»on." — Philadelphia  Press. 

"  One  of  the  best  novels  descriptive 
of  life  at  the  South  that  has  yet  been 


many  German  novels,  which  make 
them  rather  tedious  for  American  read- 
ers, but  is  *resh,  sprightly  and  full  of 
common  senee  applied  to  the  business 
cf  actual  life." — Philadelphia  Age. 

"  It  is  a  most  excellent  book,  abound- 
ing in  pure  sentiment  and  beautiful 
thought,  and  written  in  a  style  at  once 
lucid,  graceful  and  epigrammatic" — 
New  York  Evenifig  MaiL 


published.  The  plot  is  well  contrived, 
the  characters  well  contrasted  and  the 
dialogue  crisp  and  natural." — Balti- 
more Gazette. 


Israel  Mort,  Overman.  A  Story  of  the  Mme.  By 
John  Saunders,  author  of  "  Abel  Drake's  Wife."  Illus- 
trated.    i6mo.     Fine  cloth.     $1.25. 


"  Intensely  dramatic.  .  .  .  Some  of 
the  characters  are  exquisitely  drawn, 
and  show  the  hand  of  a  master." — 
Boston  Saturday  Evening  Gazette. 

"The  book  takes  a  strong  hold  on 
ihe  reader's  attention  from  the  first, 
and  the  interest  does  not  flag  for  a 
moment." — Boston  Globe. 


"The  denouement,  moral  and  artis- 
tic, is  very  fine." — New  York  Evening 
Mail. 

"  It  treats  of  a  variety  of  circum- 
stances and  characters  almost  new  to 
the  realm  of  fiction,  and  has  a  peculiar 
interest  on  this  account"  —  Boston 
A  dvertiser. 


Ill  the   Rapids.     A  Romance.     By  Gerald  Hart. 

121110.     Toned  paper.     Extra  cloth.     $1.50. 

"  Full  of  tragic  interest." — Cincin-  I  position  in  which  the  dialogue  is  sub- 
Mali  Gazette.  ordinated   to  the    narrative,   and  the 

"  It   is,    on   the  whole,    remarkably  1  effects  are  wrought  out  by  the  analyt- 
well  told,  and   is  particularly  notable  j  ical  powers  of  the  writer." — Baltimore 
for  its  resemblance  to  those  older  and,     Gazette. 
in  some  respects,  better  models  of  com-  | 

The  Parasite;    or,  Hozv  to  Make   One's  Fojiiine. 

A    Comedy  in    Five   Acts.      After  the   French  of   Picard. 

i2mo.     Paper  cover.     75  cents. 

"  A  pleasant,  sprightly  comedy,  un-  I  character,    we    should    suppose    they 
exceptionable  in  its  moral  and  chaste  ;  would  find  this  a  vaiimoie  addition  to 
in  its  language.    As  our  amateur  actors  1  their  sfock." — PhiLidelphia  Age. 
are  always  in  pursuit  of  p^ays  of  this  \ 


PUBLICATIONS  OF  J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  ^  CO. 


Ferny Jm7'st  Court.     An  Every -day  Story.     By  th& 

author  of  "  Stone  Edge,"  "  Lettice  Lisle,"  etc.  With  nu- 
merous Illustrations.     8vo.     Paper  cover.     60  cents. 

"An  excellent  novel  of  English  so-  I      "An  excellent  story."— ^<7Sif^«7i7«r- 
cietv,  with  many  good  engravings." —     nal. 
Philadelphui  Press.  \ 

C7VSS' Purposes.     A  Christmas  Experie^ice  in  Seven 

Stages.  By  T.  C.  de  Leon,  author  of  "  Four  Years  in 
Rebel  Capitals,"  "  Pluck,  a  Comedy,"  etc.  With  Illustra- 
tions.    i6mo.     Tinted  paper.     Extra  cloth.     $1.25. 


"The  plot  is  most  skillfully  handled, 
and  the  style  is  bright  and  sparkling." 
-  -New  York  Commercial  A  dvertiser. 

"  The  reader  will  begin  the  narra- 


tive without  a  desire  to  finisn  it  before 
he  has  laid  it  down  again."  —  Neia 
York  Times. 


Himself  his   Worst  Enemy ;    or,  Philip,  Duke  of 

Wharton's  Career.    By  Alfred  P.  Broiherhead.    i2mo. 

Fine  cloth.     $2. 

"The  story  is  very  entertaining  and  I  for  this   creditable  work." — Pkiladel' 
very  well  told." — Boston  Post.  phia  Ledger. 

"  The  author  is  entitled  to  high  praise  | 

In  Exile.     A  Novel.     Translated  from  the  German 

of  W.  VON  St.     i2nio.     Fine  cloth.     $2. 

"No  more  interesting  work  of  fiction  i       "  A  feast  for  heart  and  imagination.' 
has  been  issued  for  some  time."— ^i!.     —Philadelphia  Evening  Bulletin. 
Louis  Democrat.  | 

The  Struggle  in  Ferrara.    A  Story  of  the  Reforina^ 

tion  in  Italy.      By  William  Gilbert,  author  of  "  De  Pro- 

fundis,"  etc.      Profusely  Illustrated.      8vo.      Paoer  cover. 

$1.     Cloth.     $1.50. 

"  Few  works  of  religious  fiction  com- 
pare with  this  in  intensity,  reality  and 
value." — Philadelphia  North  Ameri- 


"It  is  a  well-told  story  «.*the  Re- 
formation in  \Xz\^."—Congregatiotia\ 
Quarterly. 


Margueiite  Kent.    A  Novel.    By  Marion  W.  Wayut. 

i2mo.     Fine  cloth.     ^2. 


•*  Marguerite  Kent,'  by  Mrs.  Mar- 
ion W.  Wayne,  is  an  American  novel, 
original  in  many  of  its  characters,  nat- 
ural in  dialogue,  artisticai  in  descrip- 
tions of  .scenery,  probable  in  its  inci- 
dents and  so  thoroughly  imbued  with 
individuality  that  the  story,  which  has 
taken  the  autobiographical  form,  has 
itnpressed  us  with  a  strong  feeling  of 


reality  and  truth."  —  Philadelphia 
Press. 

■'  Is  a  novel  of  thought  as  well  as 
of  action,  of  the  inner  as  well  as  of 
the  outer  life." — New  Yo*-k  Eve-ing 
Mail 

"  The  plot  is  novel  and  ingenious." 
— Portland  Transcript, 


PUBLICATIONS  OF  J.  B.  LIPPIXCOTT  5^  CO. 


Thrown  Together.     A  Story.     By  Florence  Mont- 

gomer)',    author    of    "Misunderstood,"    "A    Very    Simple 
Story,"  etc.      l2mo.     Fine  cloth.     $1.50. 
The   author   of    '  Misunderstood'  i  is  a  deep  and  strong  current  of  religioat 


has  ^ven  us  another  charming  story 
of  child-life.  This,  however,  is  not  a 
book  for  children.  Adult  readers  of 
Miss  Montgomery's  book  will  find 
mucli  that  will  lead  them  to  profitable 
reflection  of  childish  character  and 
many  graphically  touched  terms  of 
childish  thought  and  expression  which 
will  come  home  to  their  own  experi- 
Jnce." — London  Ath^7UBunt. 

•'  A  delightful  stor>',  founded  upon 
the  lives  of  children.  There  is  a 
thread  of  gold  in  it  upon  which  are 
strung  n?any  lovely  sentiments.   There 


feeling  throughout  the  story,  not  a 
prosy,  unattractive  lecturing  upon  re- 
ligious subjects.  A  good,  true  and 
earnest  life  is  depicted,  full  of  hope 
and  longing,  and  of  happy  fi-uition. 
One  cannot  read  this  book  without 
being  better  for  it,  or  without  a  more 
tender  charity  being  stirred  up  in  his 
heart." — IVasking^on  Daily  Chron- 
icle. 

''  The  characters  are  drawn  with  a 
delicacy  that  lends  a  charm  to  the 
book."  —  Boston  Saturday  Evening 
Gazette. 


[2mo.     Fine  cloth.     $1.75. 

perusal  and  approval  than  'Only  i 
Girl  :'  and  '  Why  Did  He  Not  Die  -» 
possesses  in  at  least  an  equal  degree 
all  the  elements  of  popularity.  From 
the  beginning  to  the  end  the  interest 
never  flags,  and  the  characters  and 
scenes  are  drawn  with  great  warmth 
and  power." — New  York  Herald, 


By  Emily  T  Read.     d>vo. 


Why  Did  He  Not  Die  ?   or,   The  Child  from  the 

Ebraergang.    From  the  German  of  Ad.  von  Volckhausei,. 

By  Mrs.  A.  L.  Wister,  translator  of  "  Old  Mam'selle's  Se 

cret,"  "  Gold  Elsie,"  etc. 

"  Mrs.  Wister's  admirable  transla- 
fions  are  among  the  books  that  every- 
Dody  reads.  She  certainly  may  be 
said  to  possess  unusual  ability  in  re- 
taining the  peculiar  weird  flavor  of  a 
German  story,  while  rendering  it  with 

Eerfect  ease  and  grace   into   our  own 
inguage.       Few    recently    published 
novels    have    received    more    general 

Aytoun.     A  Romance. 

Paper  cover.     40  cents. 

"The  febric  is  thoroughly  wrought  |  "There  are  elements  of  power  in 
and  truly  dramatic."  —  Philadelphia  i  the  novel,  and  some  exciting  scenes." 
North  American.  \  — Xew  York  Evening  Mail. 

Old  Song  and  New.  A  Volume  of  Poems.  By 
Margaret  J.  Preston,  author  of  "  Beechenbrook."  i2mo. 
Tinted  paper.     Extra  cloth.     $2. 

"  In  point  of  variety  and  general  I  ship  of  which  none  need  be  ashamed, 
grace  of  diction.  'Old  Song  and  New'  while  much  vies  with  our  best  lidng 
js  the  best  %'olume  of  poems  that  has  I  writers.  Strength  and  beaut>-,  scholar- 
yet  been  written  by  an  American  ship  and  fine  intuition  are  manifested 
woman,  whether  North  or  South — the  throughout  so  as  to  charm  the  reader 
best,  because  on  the  whole  the  best  ,  and  assure  honorable  distinction  to 
n  stained  and  the  most  thoughtful."—  the  writer.  Such  poetry  is  in  no  danger 
B'lltimore  Gazette.  \  of  becoming  too  abundant." — Phila- 

"  In  this  volume  there  is  workman-  i  delphia  Xorth  A  fnerican, 

Margarce.       A    Poem.       By   Hampden     Masson, 

l6mo.     Extra  cloth.     75  cents. 


PUBLICATIONS  OF  J.  B.  LIFPINCOTT  &>  CO. 


Tricotrin.     The  Story  of  a   Waif  and  Stray.     By 

•'  OuiDA,"  author  of  "  Under  Two  Flags,"  etc.  With  Por- 
trait of  the  Author  from  an  Engraving  on  Steel.  i2nio. 
Cloth.     $2. 


"  The  story  is  full  of  vivacity  and 
of  thrilling  interest." — Pittsburgh  Ga- 
zette. 

"  Tricotrin  is  a  work  of  absolute 
power,  some  truth  and  deep  interest." 
—N.  Y.  Day  Book. 


"  The  book  abounds  in  beautiful 
sentiment,  expressed  in  a  concen- 
trated, compact  style  which  cannot  fail 
to  be  attractive  and  will  be  read  with 
pleasure  in  every  household.' — San 
Francisco  Times. 


Bondage. 


Granville   de    Vigne ;    or,   Held  in 

Tale  of  the  Day.     By  "  Ouida,"  author  of  "  Idalia,"  " 
cotrin,"  etc.     i2mo.     Cloth.     $2. 

"This  is  one  of  the  most  powerful  |  present   century,    so   prolific   in 
lite 


A 

Tri- 
light 


lind  spicy  works  of  fiction  which   the  |  literature,  has  produced." 

Strathmore ;  or.  Wrought  by  His  Own  Hand.     A 

Novel.     By  "  OuiDA,"  author   of  "  Granville    de   Vigne," 
etc.      i2mo.     Cloth.     $2. 


"  It  is  a  romance  of  the  intense 
school,  but  it  is  written  with  more 
power,  fluency  and  brilliancy  than  the 
works  of   Miss    Braddon    and    Mrs. 


Wood,  while  its  scenes  and  characters 
are  taken  from  high  life." — Boston 
Transcript. 


Chandos.      A    Novel.      By   "  Ouida^'    author  of 


"  Strathmore,"  "  Idalia,"  etc. 

"Those  who  have  read  these  two 
last  named  brilliant  works  of  fiction 
(Granville  de  Vigne  and  Strathmore) 
will  be  sure  to  read  Chandos.  It  is 
characterized   by  the  same  gorgeous 


!2mo.     Cloth.     %2. 

coloring  of  style  and  somewhat  exag- 
gerated portraiture  of  scenes  and  cha- 
racters, but  it  is  a  story  of  surprising 
power  and  interest." — Pittsburgh  Eve- 
ning Chrofiicle. 

Under  Two  Flags.     A  Story  of  the  Household  and 

the  Desert.     By  "  OuiDA,"  author  of  "  Tricotrin,"  "  Gran- 
ville de  Vigne,"  etc.     i2mo.     Cloth.     $2. 

*•  No  one  will  be  able  to  resist  its 
fascination  who  once  begins  its  peru- 
sal."— Phila.  Evening  Bulletin. 

"  This  is  probably  the  most  popular 
work  of  Ouida.     It  is  enough  of  itself 

Piiek.     His   Vicissitudes,  Adventures,  Observations, 

Conclusions,  Friendship  and    Philosophies.     By  "  OuiDA," 

author    of    "  Strathmore,"     "  Idalia,"     "  Tricotrin,"     etc. 

i2mo.     Fine  cloth.     $2. 

"Its  quaintness  will  provoke  laugh- 
ter, while  the  interest  in  the  central 
character  is  kept  up  unabated." — Al- 
bany Journal. 


to  establish  her  fame  as  one  of  the 
most  eloquent  and  graphic  writers  of 
fiction  now  living." — Chicago  Journal 
0/  Commerce. 


"  It  sustains  the  widely-spread  popu- 
larity of  the  author." — Pittsburgh  Go- 
zette. 


PUBLICATIONS  OF  J.  B.  LIPPLVCOTT  &>  CO. 
The  Old  ManiselWs  Secret.     From  the  German  of 

E.  Marlitt,  author  of  "  Gold    Elsie,"  etc.     By  Mrs.  A.  L. 

WisTER.     Sixth  edition.     i2mo.     Cloth.     %l ^o. 

"  A  more  charming  story,  and  one  centrated.  compact  novels  of  the  day. 
wliich,  having  once  commenced,  it  [  .  .  .  And  the  work  has  the  minute 
seemed    more    difficult   to    leave,    we     fidelity  of  the  author  of 'The  Initials, 


have  not  met  with  for  many  a  day."- 
The  Round  Table. 
"  Is  one  of  the  most  intense,  con- 


the  dramatic  unity  of  Reade  and  the 
graphic    power    of    George    ElioL" 
Columbus  (C?.>  Journal. 


Gold  Elsie.    From  the  German  of  E.  Marlitt,  author 

of  "  The   Old    Mam'selle's   Secret,"  etc.     By  Mrs.   A.    L. 

WiSTER.     Fifth  edition.      i2mo.     Cloth.     $1.50. 

"A    charming    book.       It    absorbs  I       "A     charming     story     charminglj 
your  attention   from  the  title-page  to     told." — Baltimore  Gazette. 
the  end." — The  Home  Circle.  \ 

Countess  Gisela.     From  the  German  of  E.  Marlitt^ 
author   of  '•  Gold    Elsie,"   etc.     By    Mrs.    A.   L.   Wister. 
Third  edition.      i2mo.     Cloth.     $1.50. 
"There  is  more  dramatic  power  in  \  est  of  the  reader  from  the  outset."— 


this  than  in  any  of  the  stories  by  the 
same  author  that  we  have  read." — N. 
O.  Times. 

"  It  is  a  story  that  arouses  the  inter- 


Piitsbur^h  Gazette. 

"The  best  work  by  this  author."— 
Phiiadelphia  Telegraph. 


Over    Yonder.     From  the   German   of  E.  Marlitt, 

author   of  "  Countess    Gisela,"  etc.     Third   edition.     With 

a  full-page  Illustration.     8vo.     Paper  cover.     30  cents. 

"  '  Over    Yonder '    is    a    charming  ant  of  the   merits  of  this  author  will 

novelette.       The    admirers    of    '  Old  find  in  it  a  pleasant  introduction  to  the 

Mam'selle's  Secret'  will  give  it  a  glad  works  of  a  gifted  writer." — Daily  Sen- 

reception,  while  those  who  are  ignor-  |  tinel. 

The  Little  Moorla?id  Pnncess.     From  the  Germajt 

of  E.  Marlitt,  author  of  "  The  Old  Mam'selle's  Secret," 
"  Gold  Elsie,"  etc.  By  Mrs.  A.  L.  Wister.  Fourth  edi- 
tion.     i2rao.     P'ine  cloth.     ^1.75. 

"By  far  the  best  foreign  romance  of  I  up  to  its  balmy  influence."— CA«:<iif» 
the  season." — Philadelphia  Press.  I  Evening  Jourtial. 

"  It  is  a  great  luxury  to  give  one's  self  | 

Magdalena.      From    the    German    of  E.    Marlitt, 

author  of"  Countess  Gisela,"  etc.    And  The  Lonely  Ones 

("The    Solitaries").     From    the  German  of  Paul  Heyse, 

With  two  Illustrations.     8vo.     Paper  cover.     35  cents. 

"We  know  of  no  way  in  which  a  ]  either  of  these  tales." — IndiatuxpolM 
leisure  hour  may  be  more  pleasantly  |  Sentinel. 
whiled  away    than    by  a  perusal    oi 


RARE  BOOK 
COLLECTION 


THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

AT 

CHAPEL  HILL 

Wilmer 
941 


